Gold Nears Record Peak As Central Banks Drive Global Demand Surge

(MENAFN- The Rio Times) Gold traded close to its all-time high of $3,645 per ounce on Monday morning as investors positioned ahead of the Federal Reserve's expected rate cut on September 17.

The precious metal has gained over 41 percent this year, driven by unprecedented central bank buying and shifting monetary policy expectations across major economies.

Markets now price in a 95 percent probability that the Fed will cut rates by 25 basis points this week, with traders completely dismissing any chance rates remain unchanged.

This marks a dramatic shift from earlier expectations, as recent labor market data showed unemployment claims jumping to 263,000, well above forecasts of 235,000.

The combination of cooling employment and persistent inflation pressures has created conditions that typically favor gold investment.



China's central bank extended its gold buying streak to ten consecutive months in August, adding 0.06 million troy ounces to reach total reserves of 74.02 million troy ounces.

The monetary value of China's gold holdings jumped to $253.84 billion from $243.99 billion in July, reflecting both continued purchases and rising prices.

This strategic accumulation represents China's broader effort to reduce dependence on US dollar reserves while building monetary sovereignty. Global central banks purchased over 1,000 tonnes annually since 2022, with expectations for at least 900 tonnes in 2025.

The World Gold Council 's latest survey found 77 percent of central banks plan to increase gold holdings over the next twelve months, while none anticipate reducing reserves.

This represents the strongest buying sentiment on record and suggests institutional demand will remain robust despite elevated prices.

Gold exchange-traded funds attracted record inflows of $47 billion year-to-date, marking the strongest performance since 2020.

North American funds led the surge with $4.1 billion in August alone, as investors sought safe-haven assets amid trade uncertainties and geopolitical tensions.

Total assets under management reached $407 billion, another monthly peak that reflects both inflows and price appreciation. Technical indicators show gold's relative strength index at 74.6, approaching overbought territory but maintaining bullish momentum.

All major exponential moving averages signal buy recommendations, with the 20-day average providing support at $3,528.

Trading volumes averaged $290 billion daily across global markets, indicating sustained institutional interest despite profit-taking near record levels.

The dollar index declined 0.4 percent on Friday as weaker economic data reinforced expectations for aggressive Fed easing. Initial jobless claims reached four-year highs while consumer prices rose 0.4 percent monthly in August, above forecasts of 0.3 percent.

This combination of softening employment and sticky inflation creates the economic backdrop that historically supports gold prices during monetary policy transitions.

Physical gold markets showed mixed regional patterns, with steady demand in India offsetting some European slowdowns.

Dubai gold prices traded at a discount to Indian domestic rates by approximately $52 per ounce, reflecting local supply conditions and import duty structures.

Shanghai Gold Exchange expanded daily trading limits to 13 percent from 12 percent, accommodating increased volatility as Chinese investors balance gold exposure against domestic equity market stimulus.

Investment analysts expect continued consolidation around current levels until Wednesday's Fed decision provides clarity on future policy direction.

Goldman Sachs warned that gold could reach $5,000 per ounce if Federal Reserve independence becomes compromised, while UBS raised its year-end target to $3,800.

These projections reflect growing institutional recognition that gold's monetary role is being reestablished in the global financial system.

The convergence of central bank buying, Fed policy uncertainty, and geopolitical tensions has created what analysts describe as a perfect storm for gold demand.

While short-term volatility remains likely around major policy announcements, the underlying fundamentals suggest the current bull market has structural support that extends beyond typical cyclical factors.

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