Gold prices have soared to record heights, reaching $3,167.57 per ounce last week. The metal has gained 16% this year, following an impressive 27% growth in 2024. Analysts comparing today’s rally to the 1980s gold boom see key differences suggesting this surge may last longer.
Today’s rally is driven mainly by geopolitical factors: President Trump’s aggressive tariffs, conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, and deteriorating international relations. Unlike the 1980s boom—which ended quickly after the Iranian Revolution and oil crisis were resolved—today’s complex global issues seem unlikely to be solved through swift international cooperation.
Other factors pushing gold higher include non-Western central banks moving away from the dollar after Russia’s currency reserves were frozen, growing concerns about budget deficits, and monetary easing policies.