Will Gold Continue to Climb as Tensions Rise?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Gold prices hit an all-time high of Rs 1.27 lakh.
- Trade tensions between the US and China are escalating.
- Expectations of interest rate cuts are influencing market behavior.
- Gold has risen nearly 55% this year.
- Investors are flocking to safe-haven assets amid uncertainty.
Mumbai, Oct 15 (NationPress) Gold prices have soared to a historic peak on Wednesday, exceeding Rs 1.27 lakh per 10 grams on the Multi-Commodity Exchange (MCX). This surge is attributed to heightened US-China trade tensions and increasing speculations about further interest rate reductions by the US Federal Reserve.
At the beginning of trading, MCX gold futures were up 0.52 percent at Rs 1,26,915 per 10 grams, compared to the previous closing of Rs 1,26,256.
Shortly thereafter, prices reached a new all-time high of Rs 1,27,500 per 10 grams. Silver also saw gains, opening 0.18 percent higher at Rs 1,59,800 per kg and hitting an intra-day peak of Rs 1,61,418.
During early trade, gold was trading 0.46 percent higher at Rs 1,26,835 per 10 grams, while silver rose 0.52 percent to Rs 1,60,333 per kg.
In the global market, gold remained close to record levels, driven by demand for safe-haven assets.
Spot gold increased by 0.4 percent to $4,155.99 per ounce, while US gold futures for December delivery climbed 0.3 percent to $4,174.30 per ounce.
Gold has appreciated nearly 55 percent this year and reached a peak of $4,179.48 on Tuesday.
Analysts attribute the gold rally to a combination of global uncertainties, anticipated US Fed rate cuts, strong central bank purchases, a global pivot away from the dollar, and consistent inflows into gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell noted on Tuesday that future rate hikes will be evaluated on a “meeting-by-meeting” basis, balancing inflation worries with indications of a weakening labor market.
Investors are currently expecting a 25-basis-point rate reduction at the forthcoming Fed meeting, with another likely in December.
Compounding gold’s surge, US-China trade tensions have escalated once again. US President Donald Trump indicated that Washington is contemplating reducing certain trade ties with China, including cooking oil, following newly imposed port fees on each other this week.
Experts opine that the fusion of geopolitical uncertainty, expectations of policy easing, and ongoing market anxiety—including the US government shutdown—are steering investors towards the security of gold, driving prices to unprecedented highs.