Precious Metals News
North America led global demand, attracting $4.7 billion in inflows and marking the ninth consecutive month of gains.
This saw the dollar outpace gold over the past week, while oil prices outpaced commodity markets as the Iran war pointed to increased supply disruptions in crude markets.
Gold ETFs do have an important limitation, though: Investors don't own physical gold when they buy shares.
Investors now await the weekly U.S. jobless claims data due later in the day and the U.S. employment report for February on Friday.
The Central Bank of Uzbekistan led monthly purchases, adding 9 tonnes and extending its buying streak that began in October.
JPMorgan noted this week that the "risk premium" on gold prices due to the Middle East conflict could rise as much as 10%.
The U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran have intensified uncertainty across global markets, with investors closely watching potential safe-haven flows into bullion.
Markets currently expect three 25-basis-point Fed rate cuts this year, according to CME's FedWatch Tool. FEDWATCH
Trump's comments come ahead of another planned round of talks between US and Iran, which are set to resume in Geneva on Thursday.
In terms of physical gold products, that $100,000 could translate into a mix of formats, depending on what you're buying and where.
Even so, the preference would be to see a pullback towards, or to, $5100 before considering entry.
There's no special tax assessed for owning gold, but selling a 400-ounce gold bar at a profit can create significant capital gains tax obligations.
A 9% daily fall in late January has seemingly corrected itself and prices are now a little more consistent – but still near record highs.
The Reserve Bank of India marginally increased its gold reserves, while imports climbed to a three-month high.
Non-yielding bullion tends to do well in low-interest-rate environments.
Globally, equity markets ended mixed as Treasury yields retreated, the U.S. dollar softened, and oil prices eased.
The all-time high remains $9.6 billion from start-August 2016, amid the aftermath of the UK's shock Brexit referendum on leaving the European Union.
Chinese gold ETFs recorded RMB44 billion (US$6.2 billion) in inflows, lifting total assets under management to a record RMB333 billion.
Gold’s late-January losses were triggered chiefly by U.S. President Donald Trump nominating Kevin Warsh as the next Fed Chair after Jerome Powell’s term expires in May.
Since then, both metals have been trading in a tight range with heightened volatility amid a lack of fresh catalysts.
Supporters note that other states have taken similar steps.
Volatility in London silver bullion prices has meantime spiked from 44.6% this time last month.
Investor activity showed signs of moderation, with gold ETF holdings and futures net-long positions reduced.
Focus this week is squarely on key U.S. economic readings for more cues on the world’s largest economy, as well as the path of interest rates.
All regions recorded inflows during the month, with North America and Asia leading demand.