Gold has achieved a historic milestone, surging past the psychological **$5,000 per ounce** threshold early this Monday morning. The move comes as global financial stability concerns drive capital into safe-haven assets, marking an unprecedented period of ascent for the yellow metal. This price action extends a relentless rally. Spot gold is trading at approximately **$5,024.95** per ounce, an increase of **0.85%** in the current session alone. This monumental climb is underpinned by massive investor reallocation, building on a robust **64%** gain throughout the previous year, with the metal already up more than **16%** year-to-date in 2026. *** The primary catalyst remains escalating geopolitical friction. Tensions over the proposed US acquisition of **Greenland** continue to rattle sentiment across major economic blocs. This controversy has led directly to market anxiety surrounding US President Donald Trump’s administration and his latest aggressive tariff policies. The threat of blanket **10%** tariffs on certain European nations—and the possibility of rates rising to **25%** by June—has stoked fears of a full-scale trade war between NATO allies. This uncertainty fuels gold’s fundamental role as a protective hedge against global financial disruption and trade conflict risk. *** Macroeconomic indicators are reinforcing this bullish structural shift. The US dollar index (DXY) is trading near a four-month low at **97.224**. A weaker dollar is pivotal, making dollar-denominated gold more accessible and attractive to international buyers. Furthermore, markets are on tenterhooks regarding bond performance and monetary policy. While a rout in the bond market has pressured fixed income assets, expectations for continued US monetary policy easing are boosting non-yielding bullion. The Federal Reserve’s benchmark rate stood at **3.75%** at the end of 2025, and anticipated cuts in 2026 provide significant tailwinds for gold’s momentum. Currency volatility is also playing a critical role. Violent spikes in the Japanese yen, driven by concerns over potential US involvement in currency intervention, signal deep instability in major global currency pairs. The yen firmed **0.5%** against the dollar, currently trading around **154.84**, a dynamic that often correlates with increasing safe-haven demand for gold. *** Institutional activity confirms the sustained structural demand. Central banks across the globe continue their record buying spree, accumulating gold reserves at an elevated pace. China, for instance, has extended its gold purchases for a **fourteenth consecutive month**. These official sector flows reflect a broader global strategy to diversify away from traditional reserve assets amid geopolitical risks and growing sovereign debt concerns. Investor appetite is equally robust, demonstrated by sustained, heavy inflows into gold Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs). *** The momentum is visible across the entire precious metals sector. Silver has also soared to historic levels, climbing above the **$100 per ounce** psychological barrier for the first time. The spot silver price is currently around **$104.72** per ounce, reflecting its role as both a monetary metal and an increasingly tight industrial commodity. Other metals are following suit, with platinum posting a gain of **4.77%** to trade at **$2,872.00** per ounce. The prevailing market outlook remains decidedly bullish. Analysts are forecasting further gains for the metal, with expectations for gold to remain well supported throughout the year. Initial price targets suggest gold could approach **$5,300** before the close of the first quarter, while major institutional forecasts project an average price of **$5,055** per ounce by the final quarter of 2026.