Experts divided on impact of Fed rate cut for emerging markets like India

Experts shared mixed views on the impact of the half-point benchmark rate cut by the US Federal Reserve, as some believe cheaper financing could boost investment flows, others said it could lead to a decline in returns on equity and a rise in gold prices.

The US Federal Open Market Committee voted to cut the federal funds rate target range by 50 bps to 4.75-5 per cent, from 5.25-5.50 per cent, against expectations of a cut half that size.

The US central bank had kept interest rates at an over two-decade high for 14 months.

According to PHDCCI President Sanjeev Agrawal "We expect that the cut in the Federal Reserve rate could lead to a decline in returns on equity and a rise in gold prices".

Echoing similar sentiments, Colin Shah, MD at Kama Jewellery, said this scenario must be taken positively, as the rate cut has opened doors for gold to scale new highs shortly, reinstating the might of the yellow metal as an investment haven.

Some experts believe the Fed rate cut could lead to