Gold prices edged further lower on Tuesday after a brutal sell-off last week and HSBC gives five reasons why the yellow metal is likely to continue falling as major banks downgrade their price targets.

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Gold which hit an almost three-year low at USD 1,268 per ounce on Thursday, is down more than 8 percent since the start of last week and both UBS and HSBC have slashed their price targets for the precious metal.

In its second downgrade since April, HSBC is now predicting that the average gold price will be USD 1,396 in 2013, down from USD 1,542. While UBS last week changed its 12-month forecast by more than 40 percent to USD 1,050.

The reasons for this downgrade are five-fold says HSBC. From the US Federal Reserve tapering its bond buying program leading to a stronger dollar to falling demand from India and China as growth slows in these emerging economies, all factors are going to take the precious metal lower in coming months.

"After an initially encouraging upwards price performance in the aftermath of the April sell-off, which lasted until early May, the bullion rally lost momentum and gold and silver prices resumed their slide, with losses accelerating notably in the aftermath of the June 18-19 FOMC

Gold prices have plunged over 20 percent since April to around USD 1,276 on Tuesday.

India and China Weigh

Besides the Fed factor, the growing pessimism over China`s growth prospects will also weigh on gold prices as the world`s second largest economy is also the second largest consumer of gold.

"Our economists cut 2013 China GDP

Plus India, the largest consumer of the precious metal has also taken steps to curb appetite for gold.

"Increased import duties and the Indian government`s efforts to reduce gold imports are curbing that nations` demand for bullion and crimp jewelry demand," HSBC said.

On Monday, India`s largest jewelers` association - the All India Gems and Jewelry Trade Federation - that represents about 90 percent of jewelers asked members to stop selling gold bars and coins, adding to the government`s efforts to cut gold imports and stem a growing current account deficit, Reuters reported.

Besides lackluster demand for physical gold, HSBC says a stronger US dollar as the Fed withdraws liquidity will lead to more weakness in gold. The dollar index, which measures its value against a basket of foreign currencies, is up over 4 percent from a yearly low in February.

Finally, another support for gold - central bank buying is now either falling or not growing as quickly, HSBC said.

"These

- By CNBC.com`s Rajeshni Naidu-Ghelani; Follow her on Twitter @RajeshniNaidu

Copyright 2011 cnbc.com

First Published:Jun 25, 2013 1:46 PM IST