Most banks expect gold’s bull run to persist into 2025

(Corrects date in dateline ) Sept 30 (Reuters) - Major banks expect gold to extend its record-breaking price rally into 2025 because of a revival in large inflows to exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and expectations of additional interest rate cuts from prominent central banks around the world, including the U.S. Federal Reserve. "We reiterate our long gold recommendation due to the gradual boost from lower global interest rates, structurally higher central bank demand and gold's hedging benefits against geopolitical, financial, and recessionary risks," Goldman Sachs said in a note. Moderating but still significant central bank purchases on the London OTC market could drive about 2/3 of the expected rise of the gold price to $2,900 per ounce in early 2025. Meanwhile the gradual rise in exchange-traded fund flows following the Fed rate cuts are expected to drive the remaining 1/3 of price upside, analysts at Goldman Scahs said. Non-yielding gold has gained nearly $577 an ounce, or over 28%, so far this year, putting it on track for its biggest annual rise since 2010 and positioning itself as one of the standout assets of 2024. The precious metal hit a record high of $2,685.42/oz last week and has notched record highs several times this year. "Strong physical demand from China and central banks supported gold prices over the past two years, but investor flow, and retail-focused ETF builds in particular, continue to hold the key to a further sustained rally over the upcoming Fed cutting cycle," analysts at J.P. Morgan said in a note on Sep. 23. The Fed began its easing cycle on Sep. 18 with a half-percentage-point rate cut, and forecast another 50 basis points of cuts by the end of this year and a full percentage point of cuts next year. Zero-yielding bullion tends to be a preferred investment in a low interest rate environment and during geopolitical turmoil. The Nov. 5 U.S. presidential election could also boost gold prices further as potential market volatility may drive investors towards safe-haven gold, analysts said. The following is a list of the latest brokerage forecasts for 2024 and 2025 prices for gold (in $ per ounce): Brokerage/Agen Annual Price Price Targets cy Forecasts 2024 2025 Commerzbank* $2,600 $2,600 $2,600 for mid-2025 ANZ* $2,394 $2,805 $2,900 by end-2025 Macquarie $2,339 $2,463 Q1, 2025 peak of $2,600/oz, with potential for a spike towards $3,000/oz Goldman Sachs $2,973 $2,900 by $2,395 early-2025 UBS - - $2,700 by mid-2025 BofA $2,365 $2,750 Scope for gold to hit $3,000/oz J.P. Morgan $2,398 $2,775 $2,850 Citi Research $2,360 $2,875 Baseline average price projections of $2,800-3,000/oz in 2025 *end-of-period forecasts (Reporting by Daksh Grover, Swati Verma and Anmol Choubey in Bengaluru; Editing by Paul Simao)