Gold soared above the $2,600 level on Friday for the first time, extending a rally boosted by bets for further U.S. interest rate cuts, and rising tensions in the Middle East. Spot gold was up 1.3% at $2,

Sustained demand from investors is also helping to drive the price uptick and will likely play a role in future price growth. As more investors buy gold to capitalize on its upward price trajectory (or gain access to the many other benefits it offers), the price of gold is likely to climb.

Gold pulled back from a record high after Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell signaled policymakers aren’t in a rush to aggressively lower interest rates following Wednesday’s half percentage point cut by the US central bank.