Gold, traditionally perceived as a haven, has climbed roughly 30% this year, outperforming the benchmark S&P 500 index’s 20% gain. That has in part been driven by a jump in demand from central banks including in China, Turkey and India, who have added to their gold piles this year to diversify away from the US dollar.

Silver rose to its highest level in nearly 12 years on Thursday, riding the coattails of gold's rally to record peaks as interest rate cuts by major central banks fuelled investment interest in precious metals.

On Thursday, silver hit $32.43 an ounce, its highest price since 2012. The metal is up 35% so far this year. That beats a 30% rally for gold, which has been trading at all-time hi