Precious metals kick-started the New Year on a strong note on Friday, resuming their rally after unprecedented gains in 2025, as geopolitical tensions and hopes of lower interest rates this year kept safe-haven demand intact.Spot gold climbed 1.3 percent to $4,372.02 per ounce as of 0357 GMT, after hitting ⁠a record high of $4,549.71 on December 26. It fell to a two-week low on Wednesday.For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.US gold futures for February delivery gained 1 percent to $4,386.40/oz.“(Precious metals) seem to be making amends for the year-end selling which afflicted them earlier in the week. Year-end position-squaring pressures have eased and gold is kicking off 2026 with gains, now that fundamentals are again in focus,” said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade.Bullion staged a stellar rally in 2025, ending the year with annual gains of 64 percent, its largest since 1979.Interest rate cuts, ‍bets of further easing by