Gold Surges to Record as US Government Shutdown Boosts Havens

Gold reached a new all-time high as the US began a government shutdown on Wednesday, threatening upheaval including delays to key economic data releases.

Bullion rose to touch $3,895.38 an ounce, rallying for a fifth day. That came as a stop-gap funding package in Washington failed and the White House instructed government agencies to “execute their plans for an orderly shutdown” — the first in seven years.