Gold extended its rally for a sixth straight session, hitting a fresh record of $3,897 per ounce, as the US government shutdown fueled safe-haven demand and weak labor data reinforced expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts. The suspension of federal operations threatens to delay key economic releases - including nonfarm payrolls originally due Friday and CPI inflation set for October 15 - potentially leaving the Fed with limited data ahead of upcoming policy decisions. Private-sector employment unexpectedly fell in September, according to the latest ADP report, prompting traders to price in two 25-basis-point rate cuts before year-end. Gold has now surged nearly 50% in 2025, positioning it for the strongest annual performance since 1979, underpinned by robust central-bank purchases, rising inflows into gold-backed ETFs, and heightened geopolitical and trade tensions.