NEW YORK, N.Y. – The price of gold is streaking past $1,700 an ounce for the first time.
Investors, beset by worries about the U.S. debt downgrade, Europe’s financial crisis and slowing global growth, are seeking safety in the metal.
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Standard & Poor’s on Friday cut the long-term credit rating for the U.S. by one notch to AA+ from AAA, deepening investor fears about a weakening U.S. economy. A debt crisis in Europe threatens to destabilize financial markets. Stocks are tumbling around the globe Monday.
Gold has shot up more than 3 per cent, or $51.70 per ounce to $1,703.50, in Monday morning trading. It has nearly doubled in price since the start of 2009.
Still, adjusted for inflation, an ounce of gold remains below its 1980 peak of $850, or $2,400 at current levels.
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