Gold Extends Gains On Weaker Dollar And Rising Risks In Ukraine

(November 29, 2024 - Sybilla Gross)

(Bloomberg) -- Gold rose for a fourth day as the US dollar weakened and rising tensions in Ukraine buoyed demand for haven assets.

Bullion climbed as much as 1.1% to trade near $2,666 an ounce on Friday, after Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that his forces could strike “decision-making centers” in Kyiv with ballistic missiles. Meanwhile, the dollar slipped against major currencies, with an index of greenback strength headed for its first weekly decline in two months. That makes gold cheaper for many buyers.

Bullion is still down about 2% for the week, though, amid signs of deescalating tensions in the Middle East following a US-brokered cease-fire deal between Israel and Hezbollah that came into effect Wednesday.

Year to date, gold is up almost 30%, supported by the US Federal Reserve’s monetary easing cycle, central-bank purchases and heightened geopolitical and economic risks. Some analysts expect fresh records in 2025, with Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and UBS Group AG both issuing bullish outlooks this month.

Swaps markets are pricing in a two-third chance that the Fed will reduce borrowing costs again next month, up from roughly even odds early this week. Lower borrowing costs typically benefit gold, as it doesn’t pay interest.