Spot gold prices rose to a fresh record Thursday after the U.S. Federal Reserve overnight kept its benchmark rate steady at a target range of 3.5% to 3.75%.
The bullion rose more than 3% to breach the $5,500 U.S. per ounce mark for the first time.
Asia-Pacific markets mostly rose Thursday.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 eked higher 16.89 points, or 0.03%, to 53,375.60.
Shares of Samsung Electronics rose 2.58% at the open on Thursday before reversing course to end 1.05% lower. The company reported an over threefold surge in fourth-quarter profits Thursday, hitting a new record and beating estimates, on a memory chip shortage and strong demand for artificial intelligence servers.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index popped another 141.18 points, or 0.5%, to 27,968.09.
Singapore’s central bank left its monetary policy unchanged Thursday, while warning of upside risks to inflation and demand as the city-state’s economic outlook stays resilient. The country’s benchmark Straits Times Index inched 0.24% higher.
In other markets
The CSI 300 in Shanghai gained 35.88 points, or 0.8%, to 4,753.87.
In Korea, the Kospi index advanced 50.44 points, or 1.1%, to 5,221.25.
In Taiwan, the Taiex gave back 267.55 points, or 0.8%, to 32,536.27.
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index recouped 20.69 points, or 0.4%. to 4,930.03.
In Australia, the ASX faded 6.37 points, or 0.1%, to 8,927.53.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 descended 64.26 points, or 0.5%, to 13,348.61
