Gold is up 9 of the last 12 Januaries with an average gain of over 4%…

And so far 2018 is continuing that trend as the precious metal tops $1315 – its highest since late-September.

This builds on last year’s best gains since 2010.

Gold futures are up for 12 of the last 13 days and up 8 in a row – the longest winning streak since mid-2011:

Gold’s strong run in 2017 came even as U.S. stock markets surged to records and the Federal Reserve increased interest rates three times amid signs of an improving economy. Fed policy-makers are projecting another three hikes in 2018, while other central banks around the world have also shifted toward a tighter monetary stance, with the European Central Bank planning to halve its asset purchases starting this month.