Gold prices hit $2,000/ounce for the first time

New York:  Gold prices hit $2,000 an ounce for the first time Tuesday, the latest surge in a commodity seen as a refuge amid economic uncertainty.

The precious metal hit the symbolically important benchmark near 1615 GMT before retreating somewhat. Gold prices have risen more than 30 per cent this year as the coronavirus outbreak has weakened the economy and clouded the outlook.