Gold 2026 Outlook: Here's What Experts Predict
Money is not a client of any investment adviser featured on this page. The information provided on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Money does not offer advisory services.
Gold investors enjoyed a strong 2025, with the precious metal soaring by more than 60% last year. What’s in store for 2026?
Strategists from Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase and other major financial institutions offered insights into where the precious metal’s price will head in 2026. Here’s what you need to know.
Must Read
Gold snapshot and price forecasts
Gold started 2025 slightly above $2,600 before soaring to above $4,000 per ounce. Reliance on gold from central banks and uncertainty around tariffs were two of the factors that helped boost gold’s price.
Many financial institutions are bullish on where gold's price will head in 2026. Yardeni Research has set its gold price target at $6,000 per ounce. JP Morgan Chase’s research team expects gold will be valued at $5,055 by the last quarter of 2026. HSBC says gold could hit $5,000 in the first half of 2026. Goldman Sachs forecast a $4,900 price target for gold while Morgan Stanley says it could hit $4,800 by the last quarter of the year. Deutsche Bank says gold may rise as high as $4,950, with a $4,450 base case.
Gold Investor Kit Offer: Sign up with American Hartford Gold today and get a free investor kit, plus receive up to $20,000 in free silver on qualifying purchases
Gold allocations for retirees
Many financial advisors recommend allocating no more than 5% to 10% of your overall portfolio to gold. The precious metal can minimize risk via diversification and help hedge against inflation, but it doesn’t generate income and its prices can be volatile.
The optimal allocation also depends on your timeframe. For instance, gold may work best in a portfolio if the investor can leave it untouched for at least five years. However, if you have immediate cash needs, gold shouldn’t make up much of your portfolio. It’s better to avoid gold if it means using your extra money to pay off high-interest debt or build your emergency fund.
Free Silver: See how you can get up to $25,000 in free silver with American Gold & Silver Group
How to buy gold
Most people think of buying physical gold, like coins and bars. While doing so is certainly an option, investors then need to consider storage and insurance — and the costs that come with that.
You may be able to save money and take some of the complexity out of gold investing by buying shares of gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs). These funds give investors exposure to gold without having to worry about storage and insurance costs, and they often come with low expense ratios.
Volatility Shield: Learn about Newport Gold Group's precious metals price matching
Gold individual retirement accounts (IRAs) are another option for people who want to accumulate precious metals while enjoying tax advantages. However, these IRAs can come with high fees and strict rules outlined by the IRS. You can’t store physical gold for a gold IRA at home.
If you aren’t sure whether owning gold makes sense for you, speak with a financial advisor who can offer suggestions about where gold fits and doesn’t fit in your financial plans. And remember, price predictions about gold are just estimates. The precious metal’s price can be volatile, and it’s important to be strategic when investing, not speculative.