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Gold has indeed blasted through the 5,100 dollars per ounce level for the first time, with the move driven by a mix of safe‑haven demand, dollar weakness, and geopolitical/fiscal stress.
Where prices are now Spot gold has traded in the 5,000–5,100 dollars range, with intraday highs around 5,110 dollars per ounce. On the day in question, indicative trading ranges of roughly 5,011–5,055 dollars are consistent with a 2–2.5 percent daily move. Over the past month, gold is up about 17.7 percent, and roughly 86 percent year‑on‑year, confirming the magnitudes you cite. Drivers of the move Geopolitical tension: Escalating conflicts and policy unpredictability (including aggressive tariff threats and broader “Trump‑era” policy volatility) have boosted demand for traditional safe havens. Dollar weakness: The dollar index has fallen to multi‑month lows, partly on expectations around the Federal Reserve and a stronger yen, making dollar‑priced gold cheaper for non‑US buyers. Central‑bank buying: Official sector demand, notably persistent Chinese reserve accumulation, has underpinned the market. ETF and retail flows: Strong inflows into gold‑backed funds and aggressive retail participation have amplified the move. Monetary backdrop: Looser US policy expectations and concerns about real returns on financial assets support a higher equilibrium gold price. Context and implications The current level around 5,100 dollars is an all‑time high for gold in nominal terms. Silver and other precious metals have also broken records (silver above 100 dollars per ounce), indicating a broad precious‑metals safe‑haven and momentum trade rather than an isolated gold move. Several banks and analysts now project upside scenarios towards 6,000 dollars per ounce in 2026, while warning of the likelihood of sharp interim corrections given how far and fast prices have run. One way to frame it (economics lens) You can read this as a classic crisis‑confidence barometer: an 86 percent year‑on‑year rise in gold, coinciding with a weaker reserve currency, aggressive tariffs, and geopolitical risk, signals a market increasingly willing to pay a substantial insurance premium against tail events in currencies and financial assets. Handle With Care The Saturday Economist AI and Perplexity AI
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The Saturday EconomistAuthorJohn Ashcroft publishes the Saturday Economist. Join the mailing list for updates on the UK and World Economy. Archives
February 2026
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