Gold traded above $4,630 per ounce on Wednesday, extending its record setting run as markets assessed the balance between easing inflation pressures and resilient US demand. New data showed that producer prices in November largely avoided an upside surprise, with core PPI flat on the month, aligning with a cooler CPI print released earlier this week and reinforcing the view that underlying price pressures are moderating. That backdrop has sustained expectations that the Federal Reserve will deliver two or three rate cuts this year, supporting gold as policy uncertainty remains elevated. At the same time, strong retail sales figures underscored robust household spending, tempering outright dovish conviction but not enough to derail the metal’s rally. Haven demand remained firm amid renewed concerns over the Federal Reserve’s independence following a criminal probe linked to Chair Powell’s June testimony, while persistent geopolitical tensions around Iran continued to add support.
