Gold and silver prices reached record highs today. Here's what's next for 2026

Group 1 - Gold and silver prices reached record highs due to various political and economic factors, including U.S. tensions with Venezuela, speculation on Federal Reserve rate cuts, and overall economic insecurity [1][2] - Gold prices surged nearly 70% in 2025, while silver is increasingly in demand for industrial uses, particularly in data centers, solar panels, and electric vehicles [2] - As of December 22, gold was priced at $4,472.20, up over 1.9%, and silver was approaching $70 an ounce, marking the highest levels since 1979 [3] Group 2 - The Federal Reserve's recent interest rate cut of 25 basis points, the third cut in 2025, has historically led to increases in gold prices, with notable gains following previous cuts [4][5] - Gold is viewed as a safe haven during economic uncertainty, especially as yields on bonds and fixed-income investments decline [5] - Goldman Sachs predicts gold could reach $4,900 an ounce by December 2026, with a structural shift in demand for both gold and silver potentially sustaining price strength [6]