Gold prices today, Friday, August 21, 2026: Gold remains strong amid U.S. debt concerns

On Friday, August 21, 2026, gold prices continued to rise, buoyed by concerns regarding the United States' mounting debt. The December gold futures opened at $4,577 per troy ounce, a 0.1% increase from the previous day's closing price. By 9 a.m. ET, gold was trading at $4,633.90 per troy ounce. The surge in gold prices was attributed to the concerning national debt, which reached a record high of $40 trillion, marking a significant rise from $39 trillion just five months prior.

This debt surge erodes confidence in the U.S. dollar and increases borrowing costs. To compensate for this risk, investors and central banks worldwide may turn to gold as a safe haven. As the national debt continues to grow, higher yields are needed to service the debt, potentially driving demand for gold. The opening gold price on Friday was up 0.1% from the previous day's closing price, showcasing the gold market's resilience amid economic uncertainties.