Gold has long enjoyed a reputation as a financial “safe haven” during stormy times. But over the past few months of geopolitical chaos and market panic, the precious metal has moved more like a roller coaster than a steady ship at anchor. In late January, the gold price surged to an all-time high near US$5,600 per ounce – effectively double what it was a year earlier. It’s lost about 20 per cent since then, sliding sharply while major conflict broke out in the Middle East. To be clear, gold is still at lofty heights by historical standards, up almost 300 per cent over the past decade. Much of this surge has been ... (full story)