Gold prices rose sharply during H2’25, driven by heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and continued concerns about global inflation, which pushed investors toward safe-haven assets. Early in the period, strong demand from major markets,
including Hong Kong, supported a steady upward trend, while central-bank purchases and inflows into gold-backed funds further strengthened prices. However, the rally faced a mild correction later in the half-year as progress in US-China trade talks reduced some market anxiety and profit-taking led to a temporary dip.
In North America and Europe, gold remained attractive due to ongoing economic uncertainty and cautious investor sentiment, although trading volumes showed fluctuations in response to central-bank decisions and interest-rate expectations. In India, gold followed the global trend, climbing to record levels initially due to international cues and a weaker local currency that increased import costs, but prices softened slightly when global markets corrected. Despite this, cultural demand from festivals and weddings kept retail buying steady, helping to maintain support in the Indian market.
Overall, the combination of geopolitical unrest, inflation worries, and ongoing safe-haven demand kept gold prices largely elevated throughout H2’25, with only short-term corrections in response to specific market developments.