Gold Price Tops $4,000 for First Time Ever
The price of gold surged past $4,000 for the first time in history on Wednesday, as investors sought safety amid growing global economic and political uncertainty. The precious metal reached a record high of $4,039.86, marking a more than 50% increase since the start of 2025. This rally is driven by several factors, including expectations of US interest rate cuts, the ongoing US government shutdown, political turmoil in France, and fears that the recent tech stock boom may be a bubble. Analysts note that central bank purchases, particularly from China, and strong inflows into gold-backed funds have also fueled the rise. Gold is traditionally seen as a safe-haven asset during times of instability. In contrast, stock markets in Asia were more subdued, with tech shares leading losses after a disappointing earnings report from Oracle dampened enthusiasm around the AI sector.