Gold ‍advanced to a new record high near the $5,600-an-ounce level on Thursday, as investors sought refuge from escalating ​geopolitical tensions and weakening economic signals in the United States. Spot gold ⁠rose 2.2% to $5,516.71 an ounce by 0947 GMT, after hitting a record $5,594.82 earlier in the day. U.S. gold futures for February delivery jumped 4% to $5,509.60 after hitting an all-time high of $5,626.80 earlier. Among other precious metals, spot silver was up ‌0.7% at $117.42 an ounce after hitting a record high of $120.45 earlier. Spot platinum climbed 1.8% to $2,743.80 an ounce, after hitting a record high of $2,918.80 ⁠on Monday, while palladium eased 0.2% to $2,070.