Gold prices saw a 1.42% increase on January 12th, 2026, driven by a weak dollar, geopolitical uncertainties including unrest in Iran and the Venezuela crisis, and concerns over US Federal Reserve independence. A soft dollar makes gold cheaper for foreign buyers, while global tensions bolster its appeal as a safe-haven asset. Analysts anticipate gold prices will remain high due to ongoing economic and geopolitical tensions, with potential US Federal Reserve rate cuts further supporting the trend.