Gold jumps over 2% to all-time peak, silver follows with record gain

• Gold hits all-time high of $4,441.92/oz
• Silver hits record high of $69.44/oz
• Platinum at over 17-year high
• Palladium hits near three-year high

By Sherin Elizabeth Varghese

Dec 22 (Reuters) - Gold jumped more than 2% to a record high on Monday, powered by safe-haven flows as U.S.-Venezuela tensions flared, while silver also touched an all-time peak.

Spot gold XAU= was up 2.2% at $4,434.26 per ounce by 1:54 p.m. ET (1854 GMT) after hitting an all-time high of $4,441.92 earlier. U.S. gold futures GCcv1 for February delivery settled 1.9% higher at $4,469.40 per ounce.

"Support in the near-term is coming from raised geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela ... Gold prices have been hovering just below record highs in recent sessions, so this looks like a simple textbook momentum break to the upside after recent bullish consolidation, in holiday markets with less volume," said an analyst at Nemo.Money.

"The obvious target for gold bulls is $5,000 next year."

U.S. President Donald Trump last week announced a "blockade" of all oil tankers under sanctions entering and leaving Venezuela.

In other news seen as supportive for gold, Trump could name a new Fed Chair by early January, replacing Jerome Powell, who is set to retire in mid-2026, CNBC reported, as markets watch closely amid expectations the new chair may align with Trump's push for further rate cuts.

Gold as a safe-haven asset tends to thrive during periods of geopolitical and economic uncertainty. Gold has surged more than 69% this year in its biggest annual rise since 1979, fuelled by strong central bank buying, safe-haven flows, and lower interest rates.

Spot silver XAG= was up 1.9% at $68.40 after hitting a new high of $69.44. Prices are up over 136% so far this year.

The drivers behind silver's recent highs have centred on the persistent supply-demand deficit and import demand growing in India over its festive period, said Macquarie strategists, adding that they expect silver to average $57 an ounce in 2026.

The U.S. dollar .DXY edged lower against a basket of other major currencies, making dollar-priced bullion more affordable for overseas buyers. USD/

Platinum XPT= jumped 5.4% to $2,079, hitting its highest in more than 17 years, while palladium XPD= climbed 2.1% to $1,748.84, hitting a near three-year high.

Gold vs Silver