Why gold has so much appeal in uncertain times

For centuries, gold has been the go-to haven asset in times of political and economic uncertainty. Its status as a reliably high-value commodity that can be transported easily and sold anywhere offers a sense of safety when everything else is in turmoil.

Not everyone’s a fan. Famed investor Warren Buffett has called the precious metal a “sterile” asset, telling Berkshire Hathaway Inc. shareholders in a 2011 letter that “if you own one ounce of gold for an eternity, you will still own one ounce at its end.”

Nonetheless, central banks have been adding to their bullion reserves and investors have sought refuge in gold this year amid President Donald Trump’s expanding trade war, record US debt levels sparking concerns about the country’s fiscal health, and growing encroachment on the indepen