A recent Kitco News Annual Gold Survey reveals that a significant 71% of retail investors are optimistic, expecting gold prices to trade above $5,000 per ounce by 2026. This strong bullish sentiment from individual investors is largely corroborated by leading financial institutions and commodity experts, who also anticipate further appreciation in the precious metal's value over the coming year. Several major banks have issued specific forecasts, with UBS analysts eyeing $5,000/oz by Q1 2026, Bank of America seeing gold as a primary hedge throughout 2026, and J.P. Morgan Global Research projecting an average of $5,055/oz by Q4 2026. HSBC also suggests gold could reach a high of $5,050/oz in the first half of 2026, while Goldman Sachs maintains a target of $4,900/oz. Citi analysts similarly expect gold prices to surpass $5,000/oz in the first quarter of 2026. However, there's a consensus that the trajectory for 2026 may differ from the rapid and substantial gains witnessed in 2025, when gold prices soared by over 60%. Experts suggest that 2026 could be characterized by higher volatility, with some anticipating a moderation in the bull run, or even a potential correction later in the year if global tensions ease. The sustained demand from central banks, ongoing geopolitical uncertainties, and expectations of central bank monetary policy adjustments, such as potential rate cuts, are cited as the primary drivers supporting gold's bullish outlook. The article accurately reflects these market sentiments, without evident sensationalism or exaggeration.