Gold's 2026 Whipsaw: From $5,149 Peak to Worst Month in 17 Years

Spot gold hit $5,149 per ounce on March 6, 2026, driven by Middle East safe-haven demand (Reuters). By March 31 it had fallen to $4,652 — its worst month in over 17 years as Fed rate-cut hopes faded. The metal has been caught between geopolitical risk premiums and shifting rate expectations all year.