Finance
Gold hits record above $5,100 as geopolitics drive safe‑haven rush
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on January 26, 2026
3 min readLast updated: January 26, 2026
Quick Summary
Gold prices hit a record $5,100 as central banks and investors seek safe-haven assets amid geopolitical tensions and market volatility.
Gold hits record above $5,100 as geopolitics drive safe‑haven rush
Impact of Geopolitical Events on Gold Prices
By Ashitha Shivaprasad
Market Reactions to Tariff Threats
Jan 26 (Reuters) - Gold prices marched to record levels above $5,100 on Monday, as investors sought a safe haven away from international political tension, and silver and platinum also scaled all-time highs.
Federal Reserve's Influence on Gold
Spot gold was up 2% at $5,079.66 an ounce by 8:15 a.m. ET (1315 GMT) after hitting a record $5,110.50. U.S. gold futures for February delivery gained 2% to $5,078.50.
Investor Behavior in Precious Metals
Prices were also supported by the weakness of the U.S. dollar, which lingered near a multi‑month low, making dollar‑priced assets more affordable for holders of other currencies. [USD/]
For precious metals this year, the major drivers are going to be "Trump and Trump," said Adrian Ash, head of research at online marketplace BullionVault.
"A wave of new first-time investing is driving this move in precious metals. It's led by private investors across Asia and Europe, rushing to build their personal holdings of gold and silver," he added.
TRUMP'S 100% TARIFF THREAT ON CANADA
In the latest geopolitical flare‑up, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday he would impose a 100% tariff on Canada if it follows through on a trade deal with China.
The possibility that a coordinated currency intervention by U.S. and Japanese authorities could be imminent was another focus of investor attention. [MKTS/GLOB]
At the same time, this week's Federal Reserve meeting, when the central bank is expected to hold rates steady, is overshadowed by a Trump administration criminal investigation of Fed chairman Jerome Powell.
Trump has placed pressure on Powell to lower interest rates.
That would be supportive for non-yielding gold, which has risen nearly 18% so far this year after gaining 64% in 2025.
Last year, gold breached major milestones, including $3,000/oz and $4,000/oz for the first time.
Analysts at Societe Generale anticipate gold will reach $6,000/oz by year‑end, though they caution this may be a conservative estimate with scope for further gains. Meanwhile, Morgan Stanley said the rally could continue, highlighting a bull‑case target of $5,700.
Spot silver scaled a new high of $110.87 an ounce and was last up 6.8% at $109.92. Prices broke the $100 mark on Friday as retail investor and momentum-driven buying added to a prolonged spell of tightness in physical markets for the precious and industrial metal.
"Strong ETF demand is absorbing limited inventories after several years of deficits... While solar demand has likely peaked, which may bring weakness later in the year, other drivers are dominating for now," Morgan Stanley noted.
Spot platinum was up by 2.8% to $2,844.29 an ounce after touching a record $2,918.80 while spot palladium climbed by 4.5% to $2,099.50 after registering a more than three-year high earlier.
(Reporting by Ashitha Shivaprasad in Bengaluru, additional reporting by Swati Verma; editing by Barbara Lewis)
Key Takeaways
- •Gold prices reached a record $5,100 due to safe-haven demand.
- •Central banks and investors are driving the gold price surge.
- •U.S. monetary policy and geopolitical risks influence gold prices.
- •Analysts predict further gold price increases this year.
- •Silver and platinum also see significant price rises.
Frequently Asked Questions about Gold hits record above $5,100 as geopolitics drive safe‑haven rush
1What is gold as a safe-haven asset?
Gold is considered a safe-haven asset because it tends to retain its value during times of economic uncertainty and market volatility, making it a preferred investment for risk-averse investors.
2What is monetary policy?
Monetary policy refers to the actions taken by a country's central bank to control the money supply and interest rates to achieve macroeconomic objectives such as controlling inflation and stabilizing currency.
3What are exchange-traded funds (ETFs)?
Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are investment funds that are traded on stock exchanges, similar to stocks. They typically hold a diversified portfolio of assets and offer investors a way to invest in a broad market or sector.
