New York, Jan 24, 2026, 12:02 EST — Market closed.
- Spot gold climbed 0.6% on Friday, reaching $4,964.81 an ounce following a new record high.
- U.S. gold futures for February climbed 1.4%, closing at $4,979.70, while silver held steady above $100, drawing investor focus.
- Traders are zeroing in on the Fed’s Jan. 27–28 meeting for fresh signals on rates and the dollar.
Gold prices settled just under $5,000 an ounce going into the weekend, following yet another record-setting day on Friday. Traders are now looking for fresh triggers when markets resume.
This shift is significant as the recent gold rally has morphed into a play on rates and risk. Gold usually gains when U.S. rates drop since it offers no yield, plus it attracts buyers looking for a safe haven.
The stage is set for a jittery week. The Federal Reserve’s meeting—and any change in its tone on rate cuts—could jolt the dollar and yields. Gold, in turn, has been tracking those swings closely.
Spot gold climbed 0.6% to $4,964.81 an ounce by 1848 GMT on Friday, after hitting a record high of $4,988.17. Meanwhile, U.S. gold futures for February delivery closed up 1.4% at $4,979.70, Reuters reported. “It’s more than a perfect storm… it’s a sign of fundamentally changing times,” said Tai Wong, an independent metals trader. 1
Prices dipped earlier as traders cashed in gains. Spot gold slipped 0.1% to $4,930.44 an ounce by 1028 GMT, after touching $4,967.03. Lukman Otunuga, senior research analyst at FXTM, noted that “technical forces and profit taking limit upside gains.” 2
Gold’s rally is also supported by persistent flows that show no signs of fading. Goldman Sachs boosted its end-2026 gold price target to $5,400 an ounce this week, pointing to private-sector diversification and demand from emerging market central banks. The bank expects central bank purchases to average 60 tonnes in 2026. 3
Gold-linked stocks are riding the rally too. Canada’s TSX notched a record close Friday, led by a 1.7% jump in the materials sector as gold neared $5,000. Barrick Mining shares climbed 3.1%, according to Reuters. 4
That said, risks remain. A drop in geopolitical tensions or a more hawkish Fed stance on rate cuts could strengthen the dollar, sparking a sharper retreat in bullion after its recent surge to new highs.
Friday, Jan. 30 at 8:30 a.m. ET brings the December 2025 Producer Price Index, a key data point that could shift rate expectations if the inflation outlook shifts. 5
The spotlight is on the Fed this week: its two-day meeting spans Jan. 27–28, with the policy decision set for 2:00 p.m. ET on Jan. 28. The press conference follows shortly after, at 2:30 p.m. 6
