The Globe and Mail reports in its Monday edition that gold investors expect record-high prices this year, when the fundamentals of lower U.S. interest rates, continued geopolitical risk and central-bank buying are expected to support the market after a volatile 2023. A Reuters dispatch to The Globe says that spot gold posted a 13-per-cent annual rise in 2023, its best year since 2020, trading around $2,060 an ounce. "Following on from a surprisingly robust performance in 2023 we see further price gains in 2024, driven by a trifecta of momentum chasing hedge funds, central banks continuing to buy physical gold at a firm pace, and not least renewed demand from ETF investors," Saxo Bank's Ole Hansen said in a note. On Dec. 4, gold hit a record high of $2,135.40 on bets of U.S. monetary policy easing in early 2024 after a perceived dovish tilt from Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell, surpassing the previous record scaled in 2020. The precious metal almost made uncharted territory in May as a U.S. regional banking crisis took hold. JPMorgan sees "a breakout rally" for gold in mid-2024, with a targeted peak of $2,300 on expected rate cuts. UBS forecasts a record of $2,150 by end-2024 if cuts materialize.