Bullion has gained 12 per cent this year
The crisis in Europe is disrupting flows of energy, grains and metals
Gold has made a strong start to the year, surging to the highest since June
Bullion’s appeal as a store of value is being burnished by risk aversion in markets and a surge in inflation worldwide
Gold is holding above $1,800 an ounce after dropping for the first time in three years in 2021
Gold is heading for its biggest monthly loss since June as more central banks start signaling a pullback in stimulus measures