Gold Surges to Record Amid Escalating Tariff Threats
Key Points:
* Gold prices spiked above $2,900, setting a new record on Monday.
* Escalated tariff threats and bullish sentiment from Wall Street analysts contributed to the surge.
* Gold futures climbed over 1.6%, reaching approximately $2,935 after hitting all-time highs last week.
Tariff Announcements Fuel Demand
* President Trump's announcement of impending 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports into the United States intensified buying in gold.
* The earlier imposition of 10% tariffs on Chinese goods further fueled demand.
* Wall Street analysts remain optimistic about gold's prospects, seeing it as a valuable hedge and diversifier amid rising trade tensions.
Central Bank and Investor Demand
* Central banks continue to acquire significant amounts of gold, driven by inflation concerns, geopolitical uncertainties, and diversification needs.
* The Federal Reserve's rate-cutting cycle has stimulated inflows into physical-backed gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
Outlook
* Goldman Sachs analysts maintain their bullish view on gold, citing continued demand due to escalating tariffs.
* JPMorgan analysts believe gold could experience near-term weakness if stocks decline. However, they see disruptive tariffs sustaining a medium-term bull market for bullion.
Year-to-Date Performance
* Gold has gained nearly 10% year-to-date, following a 27% surge in 2024.