Gold (GC=F) prices rose to a new record on Monday, putting the precious metal on pace for its largest annual gain in more than 45 years. The precious metal is up more than 40% year to date, marking its best year since 1979, according to research compiled by Carson Group. Inflows into physically backed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) hit a three-year high while central banks have kept accumulating their holdings of the precious metal. The precious metal has far outperformed the S&P 500 (^GSPC) and even bitcoin (BTC-USD), up 13% and 20%, respectively, during the same period. Gold futures are up more than 40% year-to-date, marking their best year since 1979, according to research compiled by Carson Group.