Safe havens face fresh test

INVESTORS are likely to remain on the lookout for safe-haven assets as artificial intelligence (AI) jitters unsettle technology shares, the Iran war keeps energy prices elevated, and concerns over mounting government debt continue to weigh on global markets.

But as markets head towards the final stretch of 2026, traditional havens such as gold, government bonds and major currencies are proving less predictable, with investors having to weigh geopolitical risks against inflation, interest rates and fiscal pressures.