Global investors are heading into this week with caution as two big factors are likely to keep shaking their confidence: growing concerns about job cuts driven by artificial intelligence and unrest in the Middle East.
According to the World Gold Council’s Weekly Markets Monitor: Crisis Hedge, released 2 March 2026, last week was a reflection of a market on edge. Inflation is stubborn in the US, Europe is seeing patchy demand, China’s consumers are cautious, and India continues to grow steadily. Meanwhile, tensions in the Middle East disrupted energy and transport routes, adding more uncertainty for traders worldwide.
The markets reflected this mixed picture. Stock markets were uneven, US government bonds rallied, the dollar weakened, and oil prices moved higher. Gold, however, shone as a safe-haven asset, jumping about US$200 (4%) in just two days. As the WGC noted, gold tends “to rise in roughly two-thirds of major geopolitical risk events,” and this week is no exception. Last week, gold prices hit US$5,222 per ounce, marking three consecutive weeks of gains and 20% year-to-date growth, outpacing most other investments. ETF inflows surged, futures bets rose, and traders kept pushing bullish positions.
Looking ahead, the focus remains on global tensions. The Middle East conflict is far from resolved, while new hotspots are emerging, Pakistan’s strikes on Afghanistan, ongoing Russia–Ukraine hostilities, and rising China–Japan frictions over Taiwan. At the same time, investors are watching job data closely, especially with AI-related layoffs rattling markets. The WGC notes that “such widespread instability should continue to support safe-haven demand,” meaning investors are likely to keep buying gold to protect their money.
In all, last week’s mix of economic uncertainty and geopolitical drama sent investors looking for safety, and gold benefited as a result. Analysts say this trend could continue this week, with markets focused on both global tensions and economic signals from AI layoffs to US payroll numbers, shaping how cautious or confident investors feel.
