New Delhi, Dec. 15 -- Gold prices remained higher for the third straight session on Monday, December 15, reaching another historic peak on MCX as investors weighed expectations of looser US monetary policy next year and persistent geopolitical risks, which are keeping pressure on the US dollar, thus boosting gold's safe-haven appeal.

The February futures contract on MCX opened higher at Rs.1,34,204 per 10 grams, compared to the previous close of Rs.1,33,622, and maintained momentum to touch another record high of Rs.1,35,496 per 10 grams. This brought the year-to-date rally to 75.5%, putting the yellow metal on track for its biggest annual gain since 1979.

By 8:10 PM IST, MCX gold was trading Rs.1,081, or 0.80%, higher at Rs.1,34,689 pe...