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Asian Markets Rally as AI Stocks Surge; Yen and BOJ Rate Outlook in Focus 
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Gold Prices Steady in Asia, Set for Strong February Gains on Safe-Haven Demand 
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U.S. Stocks Close Lower as Hot PPI Data, Nvidia Slide Weigh on Wall Street 
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Gold prices surged on Friday, positioning the precious metal for strong February gains as investors sought safe-haven assets amid rising geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty. Spot gold climbed 1.5% to $5,261.81 per ounce, while April gold futures advanced 1.7% to $5,280.26 per ounce. For the month, spot gold is up more than 8%, rebounding sharply from early February lows near $4,404.12 per ounce after a brief speculative pullback.
The rally in gold prices has been fueled largely by escalating tensions between the United States and Iran. Washington increased its military presence in the Middle East and warned of possible action if Tehran failed to agree to a nuclear deal. Although recent talks ended without an agreement, both sides signaled further discussions, sustaining uncertainty and supporting bullion demand.
Concerns over the U.S. economy have also strengthened gold’s appeal. A U.S. Supreme Court ruling striking down most of President Donald Trump’s trade tariffs added volatility to financial markets. Trump’s response—announcing new tariffs under a different legal framework—has heightened fears of further economic disruption, keeping investors cautious. Equity market sell-offs, particularly around shifting expectations for artificial intelligence growth, have also prompted portfolio reallocation into gold-backed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and physical gold.
Institutional demand remains a major driver. According to Bernstein, strong central bank purchases and rising ETF inflows could push gold to $4,800 per ounce in 2026 and as high as $6,100 by 2030. Surveys indicate that 95% of central banks expect global gold reserves to increase over the next year, with many planning to reduce U.S. dollar exposure.
Meanwhile, other precious metals also posted solid February gains. Silver rose nearly 11% this month, platinum gained over 12%, and copper prices edged higher as Chinese demand showed signs of recovery following the Lunar New Year holiday.
