The gold market is booming as investors seek a safe haven for their investments amid global economic uncertainty.The price of gold has risen by nearly a third over the past year, surpassing $3,550 per ounce on Wednesday to hit an all-time high.Some analysts expect prices to keep climbing amid a tumultuous geopolitical environment.Why is gold so popular right now?Gold has long been favoured by investors during periods of uncertainty or upheaval because its value is considered relatively stable, especially compared with stocks, said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade in Australia.“The one thing financial markets hate is uncertainty, and in such scenarios, gold is usually the go-to asset for traders,” Waterer told Al Jazeera.While gold has historically produced only modest returns, its price has risen sharply over the past two years amid a tumultuous international environment beset by the wars in Ukraine and Gaza and United States President Donald Trump’s trade war.Gold is also favoured by investors who are distrustful of governments and financial institutions because it is a commodity that can be physically owned and stored.How are investors buying gold?There are two main methods of trading gold.The first is through the purchase of bullion in the form of bars, ingots, jewellery, or coins.The second option is to trade financial products.Investors buy and sell gold …
