Gold

Gold is the world's most widely held precious metal, traded globally as a safe-haven asset and inflation hedge. Priced in US dollars per troy ounce, it trades 23 hours a day across the COMEX, LBMA, and Shanghai Gold Exchange. Central bank purchases, geopolitical uncertainty, and real interest rate movements are the primary drivers of gold prices. Gold has historically maintained its purchasing power over centuries, making it a core portfolio diversifier during periods of currency debasement and financial stress. ETFs such as GLD and IAU have made gold accessible to retail investors without the need for physical storage.