Gold prices surge to new heights amid safe-haven demand and bullish forecasts.

Comex gold futures prices hit a new record high of $2,085.40 an ounce on safe-haven demand amid a jittery U.S. banking system and worries about a U.S. and/or global economic recession. Silver prices are also higher. The Federal Reserve's interest rate increase was no help for the U.S. banking system, parts of which are shaky. The European Central Bank is meeting Thursday and is expected to raise its main interest rate by a quarter-point. The marketplace is now looking forward to Friday's April U.S. jobs report from the Labor Department.