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Middle East stress, rate cut bets power gold to tape high

Gold hit a record high on Tuesday, constructing on its current rally as Middle East stress fed its safehaven appeal, while financiers latched on to fresh cues for more U.S. rate of interest cuts.

Spot gold was up 0.3% at $2,636.20 per ounce by 1423 GMT after earlier striking a record of $2,639.95. U.S. gold futures gained 0.3% to $2,660.80.

Gold has actually increased 27% in 2024, as worries of an all-out war in the Middle East escalated.

The current spike is being driven by a flight to safety on Middle East concerns; that there's going to be some renewed possible action by Iran ... think we'll continue to make another new set of highs, stated Bob Haberkorn, senior market strategist at RJO Futures.

Gold could go above $2,700, possibly as soon as completion of this week, if we see an additional Middle East escalation, and with talk of more rate cuts coming, Haberkorn included.

Israel struck Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon and stated it would maintain the pressure.

Bullion's rally has actually also been moved by the start of monetary easing by the U.S. Federal Reserve, which lowers the opportunity cost of holding zero-yield gold, especially following the reserve bank's larger-than-usual 50 basis point cut last week.

Contributing to the momentum, Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee showed he prepares for more cuts in the coming year.

Traders await Fed Chair Jerome Powell's remarks and U.S. inflation data later on this week.

Investors likewise analyzed developments in top consumer China, with its central bank unveiling its greatest stimulus because the pandemic.

This is combined for Chinese bullion need as lower rates ought to support demand, however might likewise help alternative properties like Chinese equities and real estate, said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo.

Silver rose 0.8% to $30.90, platinum acquired 2.1% to $976.70 and palladium climbed 1.5% to $1,057.25.

(source: Reuters)