Gold Prices Accelerate as Fears Over Global Inflation Mount

Gold prices are once again on the rise, as investors around the globe prepare for the elevated risk of inflation that is anything but transitory.

December gold futures hit a high of more than $1810 per ounce on Friday, marking an increase of about 2.5% during the week— the fastest weekly gain since the beginning of spring. The bullion’s popularity has accelerated over the past month, as investors look to hedge against growing inflation risks despite assurance from central banks and policymakers that price pressures will abate soon.

Moreover, gold prices are also getting a boost from a declining dollar index, as the US dollar continues to weaken against other major currencies, most notably the euro, yen, and the yuan.

Indeed, the latest rally suggests that an increased number of investors prefer “hard” assets such as precious metals to counter a rising inflationary environment. As a result, some industry leaders are expecting the rally to continue, and likely coincide with price accelerations across other commodities, such as natural gas and aluminum.

Former chiefs of Canadian-based gold mining company GoldCorp Inc., Rob McEwen and David Garofalo, recently told Bloomberg that the inflationary phenomenon currently witnessed around the globe will not be as transient as central banks’ official figures suggest. As investors begin to take into account a more permanent state of price pressures, the price of gold could hit $3,000 per ounce, they said.

“I’m talking about months. The reaction tends to be immediate and violent when it does happen. That’s why I’m quite confident that gold will achieve $3,000 an ounce in months not years,” explained Garofalo, arguing that gold makes a better hedge against inflation than cryptocurrencies, due to the precious metal’s long-standing history as a universal asset.

Information for this briefing was found via Bloomberg. The author has no securities or affiliations related to this organization. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.