Gold's recent rally pauses as US dollar flexes its strength
Gold is hanging out close to $4,000 an ounce this November, just weeks after smashing a record at $4,378.
Even with a small dip since then, gold's still up over 46% from last year.
The market's taking a breather as some investors cash in and the US dollar flexes its strength.
Investors are watching gold as a smart backup plan
Gold is basically the go-to safety net when things feel shaky—think inflation worries or global drama.
With the US economy sending mixed signals and inflation still a hot topic, many investors are watching gold as a smart backup plan.
Central banks have been stocking up on gold
A cautious Federal Reserve has pushed up the dollar, making gold pricier for buyers outside the US and slowing its rally.
At the same time, central banks like those in Kazakhstan and Brazil have been stocking up on gold (up 28% last quarter), which helps keep prices steady.
Meanwhile, a recent US-China trade deal has taken some urgency out of safe-haven buying—but uncertainty hasn't really gone away.