Gold Soars to $2,000 Amid Rising Geopolitical Tensions

Gold and silver prices have surged to six-week and three-week highs, respectively, as increased risk aversion due to escalating violence in the Middle East has led traders and investors to seek safe-haven assets. Gold is up $26.70 at $1,962.40, while silver is up $0.016 at $23.04. U.S. stock indexes are lower, and the U.S. dollar index is higher. China's third-quarter GDP came in at 4.9%, below the second quarter's reading of 6.3%, with property investment contracting and home sales declining.