UBS has significantly upgraded its gold price forecasts, predicting that gold will reach $4,750 per ounce by June 2026, a substantial increase from the previous forecast of $3,900. This major revision reflects analyst Levi Spry’s assessment of ongoing global uncertainty and structural shifts in demand across both private and official sectors.
The analyst increased pricing forecasts by approximately 32 to 34 percent across the 2026 to 2028 calendar years. This bullish outlook is driven by several key factors, including heightened geopolitical tensions, modest global growth, the ongoing trend of de-dollarisation, and structural demand shifts in the gold market.
UBS expects these higher gold prices to significantly benefit gold mining companies. The firm projects that earnings for gold miners could increase by 30 to 60 percent over the next three years, with coverage price targets lifted by 5 to 14 percent. The bank anticipates that mining companies will adopt varying strategies to capitalize on this environment, balancing growth initiatives with capital returns based on their individual portfolio cycles.
The favorable outlook for gold is underpinned by several macro factors. As the Federal Reserve continues to ease monetary policy while inflation remains sticky, US real interest rates could fall into negative territory. Gold typically moves inversely to real yields due to its non-interest-bearing nature, making it an attractive investment in low-yield environments. Additionally, as the Fed eases policy, further US dollar weakness is expected over the coming months, which typically supports gold prices since the metal is priced in dollars.
Investment demand for gold remains robust, with global gold demand projected to reach around 4,850 metric tons in 2025, the highest level since 2011. ETF holdings and speculators’ net positioning remain well below previous records, suggesting potential room for additional investment flows. Central bank purchases continue at elevated levels, further supporting the structural demand thesis.
UBS has identified several preferred gold mining stocks based on their assessment of relative attractiveness in the current market environment. The recommended buys include Northern Star, Perseus Mining, Genesis Minerals, Ramelius Resources, Regis Resources, Vault Minerals, and Bellevue Gold. Meanwhile, Chalice Mining holds a neutral rating, while Evolution Mining is rated as a sell.
For investors seeking exposure to the precious metals market, UBS recommends maintaining a mid-single-digit allocation to gold in a diversified portfolio. The combination of economic uncertainty, geopolitical risks, policy headwinds, and structural demand shifts creates a favorable backdrop for gold prices to continue climbing toward the bank’s elevated forecasts.