Gold climbs to one month high

NEW YORK (Reuters): Gold prices jumped about 1% to a more than one-month high on Monday as concerns over the economic fallout from the Russia-Ukraine war and surging inflation drove investors to the safe-haven asset.
Spot gold rose 0.9% to $1,991.51 per ounce by 1147 GMT, after hitting its highest level since March 11. US gold futures gained 1% to $1,995.30.
“Bullion’s upward momentum is set to continue as long as markets are fed with a steady stream of negative headlines pertaining to a darkening global outlook,” said Han Tan, chief market analyst at Exinity. The war in Ukraine has so far showed no signs of easing and has added to soaring inflation and dampened global growth outlook.
While the US Federal Reserve is expected to hike interest rates multiple times this year to tame inflation, several big Wall Street banks have raised concerns the central bank’s aggressive stance could bring about a recession as they work their way through the economy.
Meanwhile, China’s economy slowed in March as consumption, real estate and exports were hit hard, as sweeping COVID-19 curbs and the Ukraine war took a toll in the world’s top gold consumer.
“From a technical perspective, spot gold may face little resistance once it goes north of $2,000… However, gold’s ability to keep its head above $2000 may be strained once real yields break into positive territory,” Tan added.
Bullion is considered a safe store of value during times of political and economic crisis.
Restraining advances in zero-yield gold on Monday, yields on the benchmark 10-year US Treasury note jumped to their highest since December 2018, while the dollar stood strong near recent highs.
Among other metals, spot silver rose 1% to $25.93 per ounce, having earlier hit a more than one-month high. Platinum climbed 1.8% to $1,007.25 per ounce and palladium was 1.1% higher at $2,394.07.