Gold ends 2018 on a strong note as growth concerns spur demand for haven

Gold is closing out 2018 on a strong note, with haven demand in the ascendant amid volatile trading in global equities, rising concern about the economic outlook and a drawn-out government shutdown in the US.

Spot bullion is holding near a six-month high after topping $1,280 an ounce, and the metal is set for the best monthly gain in almost two years. December’s rally has pared an annual decline, the first full-year loss since 2015.

Gold gained ground this quarter as global equities plunged and doubts stacked up among some investors about the pace of global growth in 2019. The climb has been aided by a weakening of the dollar in December amid expectations that the Federal Reserve will dial back the pace of rate increases next year. That’s helped to boost holdings in gold-backed exchange-traded funds.

Spot gold hit $1,282.23 an ounce on Friday, the highest price since June, and is up 4.8 percent this month, according to Bloomberg generic pricing. It traded little-changed at $1,279.57 an ounce at 9:07 a.m. in Singapore.

Prices held their ground on Monday even after U.S. President Donald Trump struck an upbeat tone on his trade dispute with China, one of the lingering threats to growth going into next year. Trump and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping spoke at length by phone Saturday, with each expressing satisfaction.

Underscoring the risks, data on Monday showed manufacturing in Asia’s top economy shrank. China’s Purchasing Managers Index was 49.4 in December, lower than expected and below the level of 50 that signals contraction.

Among other precious metals, silver for immediate delivery was steady after hitting $15.4031 an ounce, the highest level since August. A rally of more than 8 percent this month has eroded an annual drop. Platinum is set for a full-year fall, while palladium traded near a record hit earlier this month.