Group 1: Gold Price Trends - Gold futures opened at a record $4,130.90 per ounce, up 0.5% from the previous close of $4,108.60, and reached a new high of $4,190.90 in early trading [1] - The current price of gold has increased by 4.3% from $3,959.40 one week ago and by 13% from $3,655.50 a month ago [4] - Over the past year, gold prices have surged by 55.6% from $2,655 on October 14, 2024 [4] Group 2: Trade Conflicts and Market Impact - The trade conflict between the U.S. and China escalated with Beijing prohibiting business dealings with five U.S. subsidiaries of Hanwha Ocean, which is linked to ongoing industry-specific disputes [2] - Escalating trade tensions are expected to increase safe-haven demand for gold, potentially driving prices higher [3] Group 3: Investment Considerations - Investors face price risk when buying gold at record high prices, as buying high in hopes of short-term gains can be challenging [7] - Gold is increasingly viewed as a diversification asset for central banks and individual investors, recovering from decades of low prices [7] - Gold should primarily act as a stabilizer in a diversified portfolio rather than a driver of high returns [9]