Gold prices have climbed this year despite rising U.S. interest rates, a rally in global stock markets and a jump in cryptocurrency prices — and the yellow metal has lots of reasons to stretch its gains into 2018, according to a report from the World Gold Council released Friday. Gold futures GCG8, +0.71% have gained more than 9% year to date, garnering support, in part, from haven demand on the back of geopolitical jitters. The precious metal notched a rise of roughly 8.6% last year, after three consecutive years of declines. FactSet Gold’s year-to-date performancevia