MUMBAI: Gold futures edged lower on Thursday afternoon weighed by a firm rupee, which made the dollar-quoted yellow metal cheaper, analysts said. * The most-traded gold for August delivery on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) was trading 0.25 percent lower at 22,081 rupees per 10 grams at 2:39 p.m. * The Indian rupee was firm in afternoon trades on Thursday, tracking gains in the euro and local stocks, but month-end dollar demand from oil companies limited the rise. * Gold in the overseas market held steady after two days of gains and after passage of Greece's austerity plan through parliament weighed on the dollar, but low speculative interest and physical demand are seen capping gold's upside in the short term. * Physical trading was lacklustre as seasonally weak demand period is underway in the world's biggest buyer of bullion. Farmers, the traditional buyers, usually divert their savings on farm equipment and pesticides for summer-sown crops from gold and silver in monsoon period.

Source