Why is the price of gold continuing to rise? Why, if the fundamentals are low enough to be negative, are the prices of some commodities skyrocketing? Gold has actually reached $1007 an ounce, the highest it has been since March 2008. That means there has been a 12% increase since April 2008.

But what causes this to happen? Certainly not the fundamentals, as you might have guessed. According to data gathered by the World Gold Council, demand for gold jewelry is down 22% and gold use in industrial processes is down 21% from 2008. Only financial speculation flourished in today’s gold market, as it saw a 46% increase earlier in the year.

Another reason is that gold is often considered to be a good hedge against inflation leading many to be attracted to this precious metal. But according to statistics listed by the Labor Department, the consumer price index for gold fell 2.1% in a single year. That is the opposite of inflation. So what exactly is being hedged against?

This currency is being debased because of the Federal balance sheet is enlarging in size. Gold could go either way, deflation will only further debase our currency, while inflation is never an optimal scenario either, so gold apparently benefits if either situation occurs.

The US interest rates are low which is also a large factor when it comes to supporting gold. Consider the London interbank dollar rate (which is the method used by banks to charge other banks for loans) that has fallen to an unprecedented low of 0.314%, meaning it is down from 4.8% in October of last year. Unlike bonds, gold does not earn interest, which means there is an opportunity cost associated with having gold. But with the dollar worth as little as it is now that opportunity cost is rendered insignificant.

All signs point to financial speculation being behind the surge in gold prices and nothing to do with the fundamentals. Gold prices are high and it is impossible to predict what will happen from here.

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