The gold market is ending the week in a precarious position as prices cling to what has become critical support near $4,000 an ounce. The precious metal is on track to post its fourth consecutive weekly loss, its longest losing streak since August 2023. The gold market has struggled in recent months as the war in Iran significantly disrupted the global energy market, driving oil prices higher and igniting inflation fears. Those fears are quickly becoming reality after the Federal Reserve shifted from a loosening bias to a hawkish stance, signaling support for a potential rate hike by the end of the year. At the same ... (full story)