Gold unchanged near record high as global uncertainties raise demand
Federal Reserve's hint at rate cuts this year also fostered appeal.
FUNDAMENTALS
<div data-placement=«Mid Article Thumbnails» data-target_type=«mix» data-mode=«thumbnails-mid» style=«min-height:400px; margin-bottom:12px;» class=«wdt-taboola» id=«taboola-mid-article-thumbnails-119279736»> * Spot gold was flat at $3,043.89 an ounce as of 0030 GMT. Bullion reached an all-time high of $3,057.21 per ounce in the previous session. It has climbed around 2% so far for the week.
* U.S. gold futures rose 0.3% to $3,051.90.
* At least 91 Palestinians were killed and dozens wounded in airstrikes across Gaza on Thursday after Israel resumed bombing and ground operations, the enclave's health ministry said, effectively ditching a two-month-old ceasefire.
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* The Trump administration's initial policies, including extensive import tariffs, appear to have tilted the U.S. economy towards slower growth and at least temporarily higher inflation, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said on Wednesday.
* On Wednesday, the Fed held its benchmark overnight rate steady in the 4.25%-4.50% range. Policymakers expect the central bank to deliver two quarter-percentage-point rate cuts by year-end.
* A whirlwind of economic and geopolitical turbulence has propelled gold to dazzling new heights in 2025, pushing it to 16 record highs, with four beyond the crucial mark of $3,000 per ounce.
* Market jitters over tariff uncertainty, expectations of interest rate cuts and the rekindling of Middle Eastern tensions — sparked by Israel's airstrikes in Gaza — have all fueled the record rally.
* Non-yielding gold is historically considered a hedge against geopolitical and economic uncertainties, and thrives in a low interest rate environment.