With prices heading for 3rd quarterly rise, gold forges best run since 2011

Holdings in bullion-backed ETFs hit 2,268.6 metric tons last week, the most since 2013, data compiled by Bloomberg show

Gold bulls are finding 2018 offers plenty of reasons to be cheerful.

Bullion’s wrapping up a third quarterly gain, a feat not seen since 2011, and exchange-traded fund holdings are near the highest in a half-decade. Haven demand may also get a boost with foreign-policy hawks in the ascendant in Washington.

While spot bullion slipped 0.2 percent to $1,323.04 an ounce on Thursday, the metal is still up up 1.5 percent this quarter, following a 1.8 percent gain in the final three months of last year. The rise comes even as the Federal Reserve has been pulling the trigger consistently