📈 Global Gold Outlook: JP Morgan Targets US$ 6,300 by Year-End

JP Morgan has issued a strongly bullish forecast for gold, projecting prices to reach US$ 6,300 per ounce by the end of 2026. This comes despite recent volatility, where bullion fell over 5% on Monday to US$ 4,677.17/oz, retreating from a record high of US$ 5,594.82. • Core Drivers: The rally is powered by a "structural diversification trend," with central banks and private investors shifting from paper assets to real assets. • Institutional Demand: JP Morgan forecasts central bank purchases to reach 800 tons in 2026, maintaining a high floor for the market. • Silver Outlook: While silver fell 6% to US$ 78.90/oz (down from its US$ 121.64 peak), analysts expect a support floor between US$ 75–US$ 80/oz. • National Context: For Sri Lanka, the global surge significantly impacts local jewelry and investment sectors. In late 2025, local 24K gold reached a historic Rs. 410,000 per sovereign, reflecting the 66% YoY global gain in 2025. _Note: Forecasts are based on current market trends and provisional demand data for 2026._