<div id="readability-page-1">The past year was a certified gold rush by almost every measure, and gold has continued to skyrocket as 2026 dawns. The price of gold recently reached an all-time high, as harried investors continue to scurry for safety amid geopolitical turbulence.<h3>Claim 50% Off TipRanks Premium</h3><ul><li>Unlock hedge fund-level data and powerful investing tools for smarter, sharper decisions </li><li> Stay ahead of the market with the latest news and analysis and maximize your portfolio's potential</li></ul> Indeed, gold was the best-performing asset class of 2025, rising by 64%, its strongest year since 1979. All told, gold is up by roughly 150% since the beginning of 2023, and has gained some 8% in just the first few weeks of 2026. It's an understatement to declare that relations between nations are far from harmonious. The U.S.'s intervention in Venezuela, rising tensions with Iran, and a hullabaloo over Greenland haven't exactly helped ease fears of international conflict. Things aren't all that calm at home either. Worries over future tariffs and trade barriers, increasing unrest against ICE detentions in U.S. cities, and even fears over the Federal Reserve's impartiality are all causing angst. While it's a well-known phenomenon for investors to seek safety in times of uncertainty, there were other factors at play. Sinking interest rates in the U.S. are softening the opportunity cost of holding the non-interest-bearing asset, which has also led to increased demand for gold. Will things begin to slowdown in the coming year? Not according to UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo, who thinks that the rally shows no signs of letting up. &#34;All the forces that have supported gold's rally remain in place, in our view,&#34; explains the analyst. &#34;We expect the gold price to continue rising in 2026.&#34; Staunovo lists a number of reasons for this bullish view. The first is, not surprisingly, the ongoing macroeconomic, policy, and geopolitical concerns, which continue to push investors toward real assets. It's not just investors, adds the analyst, who points to strong demand for gold from central banks as well. In that regard, Staunovo is upping his forecast for gold purchases by central banks in 2026 to 950 metric tons from a previous projection of 900. The analyst also notes the recent declines in the U.S. real interest rate, which has reached its lowest level in more than two years. He projects that bullion will reach $5,000 an ounce, and might even surge higher to $5,400, if the political or financial turmoil grows worse. Therefore, even though the performance of equities remains strong, the analyst suggests a mid-single-digit allocation for diversified portfolios. &#34;We think gold's role as a diversifier and hedge is undiminished,&#34; sums up Staunovo.</div>

SGOL

UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo predicts that gold prices will continue to rise in 2026, potentially reaching $5,000 to $5,400 an ounce. The price of gold has surged by 150% since early 2023, driven by geopolitical tensions and declining U.S. interest rates. Gold was the best-performing asset class in 2025, with a 64% increase. Staunovo cites ongoing macroeconomic concerns and strong demand from central banks, raising his forecast for their purchases to 950 metric tons in 2026. He emphasizes gold's role as a diversifier and hedge in investment portfolios.

'Gold Price Can Reach New Highs in 2026,' Says UBS