The World Gold Council has released its "2026 Global Gold Market Mid-Year Outlook," forecasting that gold prices may trade around $4,100 this year under the baseline scenario. The report highlights that gold will continue to reflect global macroeconomic conditions, with expectations of further interest rate hikes by major central banks. Market consensus anticipates the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates at least once in 2026, likely in October. Additionally, the Bank of England, Bank of Japan, and European Central Bank are expected to tighten monetary policies. The U.S. second-quarter inflation rate is projected to peak at approximately 3.9%, influencing gold's valuation as a key economic indicator.