Gold prices drop below $4,300 for first time since Dec 2025

Gold prices tumbled below the $4,300 mark on Monday, reaching levels not seen since December 2025 as market volatility continued to reshape the precious metals landscape. The yellow metal traded between $4,160 and $4,536 during the session, settling around $4,210 per ounce by early morning GMT—a 6% decline from Friday's close.

The latest slide extends a dramatic sell-off that has wiped out significant value from the safe-haven asset. Last week, gold experienced its steepest weekly drop in over four decades, plunging more than 10%—the largest such decline since 1983. The current downturn marks a sharp reversal from January, when gold surged to an all-time high approaching $5,600 per ounce. Since that peak, prices have retreated approximately 25%.

Record weekly drop shakes markets

The unprecedented weekly decline has sent ripples through global commodity markets, with investors reassessing positions amid shifting geopolitical and economic dynamics. The sell-off comes as regional conflicts and energy price fluctuations create complex signals for traditional safe havens. Analysts note that despite ongoing Middle East tensions, gold has failed to maintain its typical defensive appeal in recent weeks, suggesting broader market factors are driving the current downturn.

Silver follows gold's downward path

Silver prices mirrored gold's decline, falling 7.6% to $62.6 per ounce. The precious metals complex has faced sustained pressure as market participants digest the implications of prolonged regional instability, supply chain disruptions, and shifting central bank policies. For Turkish investors and households, who traditionally view gold as a store of value and hedge against uncertainty, the sharp correction carries particular significance amid broader economic considerations. The coming weeks will likely test whether this represents a temporary correction or signals a more sustained shift in precious metals valuations.