Gold futures opened at $4,128.60 per ounce, down 0.3% from the previous close, with prices rising above $4,170 in early trading. The strength of gold followed important data releases, including a 0.2% increase in U.S. retail sales and a 0.3% gain in the Producer Price Index. Kevin Hassett is favored to be the next U.S. Federal Reserve chair, supporting potential rate cuts. Gold prices have risen 57.2% in the past year and 63.4% as of Nov. 14. Different ways to invest in gold include physical gold, gold mining stocks, gold ETFs, and gold futures, each with pros and cons.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: Gold surpasses $4,170 on expectations for lower interest rates