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Economy

Gold holds near record high after U.S. debt buyback sparks longest rally in six months

Gold steadied just below a record after the U.S. Treasury said it would at least double buybacks of long-dated debt, a surprise step that sent Treasury yields sliding and capped the metal’s biggest single-day gain since February.

Source: The Business Times Singapore · August 20, 2026 at 1:01 AM · AI-assisted report

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Gold holds near record high after U.S. debt buyback sparks longest rally in six months
Photo: Becky Williamson / CC BY-SA 2.0

SINGAPORE, 20 AUGUST 2026 —

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Gold steadies near $4,500 as US Treasury buyback eases bond yields

Market Impact

KUALA LUMPUR — Gold prices hovered near record highs of US$4,500 per ounce on Wednesday after the US Treasury’s surprise move to curb long-term borrowing costs boosted bullion’s appeal. The precious metal surged over 4% the previous day, marking its largest single-day gain in six months, following the Treasury’s announcement of expanded buyback operations for long-dated government debt.

The US Treasury said it would at least double the size of liquidity support buyback operations for securities maturing between 10 and 30 years, aiming to reduce borrowing costs amid multi-decade high yields. Hours later, it revealed that total US public debt had surpassed US$40 trillion for the first time, having increased by a third in under five years.

The intervention signals stronger official support for the US Treasury market, potentially easing financial conditions and reducing the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets like gold.

However, further gains in gold may face headwinds from energy-driven inflation, which could sustain price pressures. Oil prices rose as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East remained elevated, with prospects for a US-Iran peace deal over the Strait of Hormuz dim and a dispute between the UAE and Iran adding to regional instability.

Fed meeting minutes released on Wednesday showed growing support among officials for a potential interest rate hike in July, with more policymakers backing an increase than the three who formally dissented. Several also indicated willingness to hike rates if inflation fails to moderate. Higher interest rates typically weigh on gold, as the metal offers no yield compared to interest-bearing assets.

At 7:21 am Singapore time, spot gold was up 0.1% at US$4,520.05 per ounce. Silver rose 0.1% to US$67.01, while platinum and palladium also edged higher. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index remained little changed after ending the prior session down 0.8%.

Malaysia market impact For Malaysian investors, gold’s rally presents both opportunities and risks. The local gold market, which tracks global prices closely, may see increased trading activity as domestic prices follow international trends. The weakening of the US dollar—evident in the Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index’s decline—could further support ringgit-denominated gold prices, making imports cheaper for local buyers. However, if energy inflation persists, it may offset some of gold’s safe-haven demand, particularly among cost-sensitive Malaysian consumers.

Sector and company specifics Details not yet available on specific Malaysian gold producers or refiners’ direct exposure to the latest US Treasury measures. Local financial institutions offering gold investment products, such as Maybank’s gold savings accounts or Public Bank’s digital gold trading, may experience heightened customer interest amid the price surge.

The broader commodities sector in Malaysia, including palm oil and energy-linked stocks, could also see indirect effects if global risk sentiment shifts further in response to US debt and Middle East developments.

Outlook Gold’s near-term trajectory will likely hinge on US Treasury actions, Fed policy signals, and Middle East geopolitics. If the Treasury’s buyback program succeeds in lowering long-term yields, gold may extend gains as real interest rates decline.

For Malaysian investors, monitoring global oil price movements and the US dollar’s performance will be critical in assessing gold’s appeal as a hedge against inflation and currency risks.

Related: Maybank · Singapore

Reporting based on The Business Times Singapore. Figures and claims are subject to revision as the story develops. DomainFork publishes editorial context, not investment advice — see our editorial standards.