With the U.S. government shutdown ongoing and economic data withheld, markets are navigating an information vacuum. Gold investors, however, have moved swiftly, seeking clarity amid the turmoil. As of the time of writing, spot gold (XAUUSD) had surged to $4,050 per ounce, setting a Record High. Political gridlock in the U.S., alongside instability in France and Japan, is driving global capital into the physical gold market, which operates independently of institutional frameworks.
This gold rally does not originate solely from panic; macro policy shifts and global capital flows are influencing the surge. Investors are betting the Federal Reserve (Fed) will accelerate rate cuts, since U.S. labor and inflation data showed weakness before the shutdown began. Lower rates weaken the dollar and decrease the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets like gold, further fueling the price surge.
ETF inflows have hit multi-year highs, with both retail and institutional investors ramping up gold allocations. This is more than short-term speculation. It is a concentrated signal of risk aversion. Central banks worldwide, especially China, are sharply reducing their U.S. Treasury holdings and boosting gold reserves, reflecting both portfolio diversification and a strategic push toward de-dollarization.
As the supremacy of the dollar is challenged, global markets are reevaluating what defines a safe asset. The paralysis of the U.S. government and the blackout of economic data have left investors unsure about the real economy. This lack of transparency is accelerating the shift toward de-dollarization and the resurgence of gold.
Billionaire investor Ray Dalio recently made a powerful appeal at the Greenwich Economic Forum: investors should allocate 15% of their portfolios to gold. “Debt instruments are not an effective store of value,” he stated. Dalio emphasized, “Gold is one of the few assets that excels under market stress and contraction.” The current political dysfunction and economic shutdown further support his stance.
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From the U.S. government shutdown to global political volatility, markets are entering a period of heightened uncertainty. This is exactly where gold shines. Gold has surpassed $4,050 per ounce, driven by expectations of lower interest rates, record-setting ETF inflows, and sustained central bank buying. It is poised to test $4,200 and beyond in the coming months.