Gold and Silver in Freefall as Investors Flee Safe Haven Metals Trade

Gold, silver and platinum resumed their recent sell-off this week, falling sharply as investors continue to retreat from precious metals as a safe haven trade amid the ongoing war in Iran.

The price of spot gold was seen 7.8% lower shortly after 7:30 a.m. in London (3:30 a.m. ET) on Monday, at $4,126.36.80. 

Gold futures were down almost 10% at $4119.10, the lowest level seen so far in 2026.

The sell-off extended to other precious metals, with platinum futures plummeting 10.6% to $1,760.90, while palladium dropped 6.7% to $1,347.50.

The retreat from gold — which is traditionally seen as a key safe haven asset in times of market turmoil — chimes with the ongoing risk-off sentiment in markets as the Iran conflict fuels concerns over inflation and rising energy prices.

The prospect of higher interest rates as a result of the war could boost government bonds among investors, at the expense of non-yielding precious metals, market strategists told CNBC recently.

However, euro zone government bond yields were once again moving higher in early trading on Monday as the conflict's latest escalation left few hiding places for investors.