Aug 9 (Reuters) - Bullion gained 1.7 percent on
Tuesday, roaring to all-time highs for a second consecutive
session as equity markets dived on growing fears of a global
recession after last week's cut in the United States's credit
rating.
Stock markets in Asia plummeted and the Swiss franc held
near a record high after investors fled riskier assets in a
global sell-off ignited by fears that political leaders are
unable to tackle debt crises in Europe and the United States.
As investors exited stocks for bonds and bullion, holdings
of the SPDR Gold Trust registered their biggest one-day
gain in more than a year on Monday, sending the price of gold to
a premium over traditionally more expensive platinum.
U.S. gold futures for December GCcv1 struck a record
around $1,746 an ounce, while cash gold hit an all-time
high about $1,742 an ounce, its 12th record in 20 sessions.
"Markets are now worried about another global recession. Out
of Europe, French bond yields have widened on expectation of
sovereign debt downgrade because of the country's exposure to
peripheral European debt," said Natalie Robertson, a commodities
strategist at ANZ.
"I think everyone was also looking at the 7 percent drop in
the S&P 500. The market was very concerned over the global
economy. Gold is now more expensive than platinum, and the last
time this happened was back in December 2008. That's an
interesting dynamic."
Gold rallied more than 3 percent on Monday, exceeding $1,700
an ounce for the first time after Standard & Poor's cut the U.S.
credit rating to AA-plus, setting off an investor stampede for
safety.
The cost of insuring French debt against default rose on
Monday after the downgrade raised questions over how long other
countries could hold onto their top-notch ratings.
Gold is the oldest and more enduring form of legal tender. It is universally recognized for its value and rarity. While financial markets make wild swings over short periods of time, gold prices tend to creep up and down. The patient investor can do quite well if they know what to look for.
Gold is valuable primarily because a lot of people believe it is. Gold's value is a cultural phenomenon. Its price is determined by a complex combination of factors but not necessarily need. Cultures that do not use gold or do not seek it, do not value it. Gold is mainly an investment commodity. It is seen as a refuge from shaky currencies during tough economic times.