Gold Surpasses $4,000 for the First Time

At 05:23 GMT, the spot price of gold rose by 1.2% to $4,030.68 per ounce. Since the beginning of the year, the precious metal has surged over 53%, following a strong increase of 27% in 2024, solidifying its status as the standout asset of 2025. Investors are flocking to safe-haven assets due to global economic uncertainties and the accommodative outlook from the Federal Reserve. The ongoing shutdown of U.S. public administrations, now in its second week, has delayed the release of key economic data, complicating assessments of the country's economic health. Despite this uncertainty, traders are anticipating rate cuts of 25 basis points in October and December. Persistent political tensions in France, combined with a leadership change in Japan, further contribute to the uncertainties affecting global markets. Meanwhile, strong demand from central banks and a massive influx of capital into gold-backed ETFs—recording their highest monthly inflow in over three years in September—are amplifying the upward trend. In addition to gold, silver prices increased by 1.9% to $48.73 per ounce on Wednesday, platinum rose by 2.5% to $1,660.10, and palladium gained 2.7% to reach $1,373.43.