I have recently noticed that the question on every investor's mind now is: Will gold go higher or will we see a stronger correction?

The truth is, what happened in the first months of 2026 was truly crazy. Gold surged strongly in January and touched $5,600 per ounce — a historic level we haven't seen before. But the wave didn't last, and the precious metal entered a sharp correction in March, starting to move around $4,700–$4,800 in April. The $5,000 level remained a strong psychological barrier that it couldn't break through steadily.

Why did all this happen? The clear reason is political uncertainty and geopolitical risks still pushing investors toward safe havens, but at the same time, the strength of the dollar and rising bond yields are putting pressure on prices. This delicate balance is what controls the movement now.

2025 was an exceptional year for gold — it rose from around $3,000 at the start of the year to $4,550 by its end. That’s nearly a 70% gain in one year. There was very strong demand from central banks and investment funds, along with massive inflows into gold exchange-traded funds.

Now, regarding expert forecasts for 2026 — the numbers are a bit different, but the trend is the same. JPMorgan expects gold to reach $6,300 by the end of the year. UBS raised its forecast to $6,200, with a bullish scenario possibly reaching $7,200 if geopolitical tensions worsen. Deutsche Bank predicts $6,000, and Goldman Sachs around $5,400.

The main question: Will gold really rise to these levels? The answer depends on many factors:

First, inflation — the latest US data showed inflation rising to 3.3% in March from 2.4% in February. This means price pressures are returning. Gold benefits from this situation because it preserves purchasing power.

Second, Federal Reserve policies — any decision to raise interest rates will weaken gold, as fiat currencies become more attractive. But if the Fed delays, gold will benefit.

Third, central bank purchases — these remain very strong, especially from emerging countries.

Fourth, geopolitical risks — if tensions increase, gold will be the first refuge.

Practically speaking, if you're thinking of entering the market now, you need to set your goal first. Do you want a long-term investment to preserve capital? Or are you looking for quick profits from volatility?

For long-term investing, gold bars and coins are safe but come with storage and insurance challenges. If you prefer more flexibility, CFDs and exchange-traded funds are good options.

The most important point: Will gold rise? All indicators suggest it’s on a long-term upward path, but with short-term fluctuations. Levels of $5,000–$6,000 seem very reasonable during the year.

But beware — gold is not a safe haven from everything. Volatility exists, and timing is difficult. Be sure to study the market carefully and don’t rely solely on forecasts. Discipline and patience are the keys to success in this market.