Gold Extends Possitive Momentum
2026-02-19 15:42
By
Felipe Alarcon
1 min. read
Gold rose toward $5,020 per ounce, extending its rally as investors digested a more cautious Federal Reserve stance alongside firmer US economic data and renewed geopolitical strain.
Minutes from the January FOMC meeting showed most policymakers believe disinflation could take longer than previously anticipated, with some officials indicating rates may need to remain restrictive for longer or even rise again if inflation stabilizes above target, prompting markets to scale back expectations for multiple cuts this year.
That reassessment followed resilient labour market signals, including jobless claims falling to 206,000, underscoring that underlying demand conditions remain solid.
At the same time, escalating tensions between the US and Iran have lifted crude oil prices, reinforcing concerns about renewed input cost pressures and broadening gold’s appeal as a hedge against persistent inflation, even as physical demand in Asia remains seasonally subdued around the Lunar New Year period.