Investors take cover as gold ETFs post longest run in a decade

As global tensions escalate, signs of a slowdown mount and equities decline, more investors are turning to gold. Worldwide holdings in bullion-backed exchange-traded funds have expanded for 17 days in a row, capping the longest run of inflows since 2009.

The total stash now stands less than 35 tons away from a record set in 2012, according to the latest tally by Bloomberg. The consistent influx has come even as prices struggled to extend gains above $1,500 an ounce in recent weeks.

Bullion has climbed in 2019 as the U.S.-China trade war hurts global growth and central banks loosen policy. The rise