The gold market bulls have shown good power recently. February gold this week hit a six-month high. Bullish charts and a slumping U.S. dollar index that this week hit a 3.5-month lower are fueling the latest advance in gold and silver markets. Risk appetite in the marketplace has improved the past few weeks but is still not robust. The Middle East conflict that could escalate at any moment remains a bullish wild card for safe-haven gold and silver. North Korea, China and Russia remain in the geopolitical mix and are lingering not far from the front burner of the general marketplace. Gold bulls are once again poised to challenge the all-time high of $2,085.40, basis nearby futures. It’s my strong bias the yellow metal will hit a new record high in the near future. Stay tuned! Jim Wyckoff