Citi(US:C) 美股IPO·2025-11-13 03:39Core Viewpoint - Citigroup predicts that under a bull market scenario, gold prices could reach $6,000 per ounce by 2027, driven by a significant mismatch between global wealth and the relatively small physical gold market [1][8][10]. Group 1: Market Dynamics - The report estimates that a mere 1.5% increase in global household wealth allocation to gold would require 18 years of mining supply to meet the demand, indicating a severe imbalance that can only be rectified through soaring prices [1][12]. - Currently, gold supply accounts for approximately 0.1% of global household wealth, and increasing the average allocation from 3.5% to 5.0% would necessitate an amount equivalent to 18 years of global gold mining output [12][25]. - The physical gold market is experiencing a significant "gap," estimated to exceed 1,000 tons annually, indicating that new purchasing demand far exceeds the supply from mining and recycling [25]. Group 2: Price Predictions - In a bull market scenario with a 30% probability, gold prices are expected to reach $6,000 per ounce by the end of 2027, with a forecast of $5,000 per ounce by the end of 2026 [5][11]. - The base case scenario predicts a gradual decline in gold prices to $3,650 per ounce by the end of 2026, with a 50% probability assigned to this outcome [5][13][14]. - A bear market scenario, with a 20% probability, could see gold prices drop to $3,000 per ounce by the end of 2026 or 2027 [14]. Group 3: Investment Trends - The primary driver of the recent surge in gold prices has been U.S. investors, with net inflows into gold ETFs in the U.S. accounting for 60.9% of the global total since 2025 [20][22]. - The net investment demand is running at an annualized rate exceeding $350 billion, marking a historical high [21]. - This strong investment demand reflects investors' strategies to hedge against potential economic slowdowns due to high U.S. interest rates and tariff policies [23]. Group 4: Valuation Concerns - Current gold valuations are considered "very expensive," with multiple indicators reaching 50-year highs [15]. - The price of gold is significantly detached from production costs, with high-cost gold miners achieving profit margins at their highest levels in nearly half a century [18]. - The share of gold in global foreign exchange reserves has risen to nearly 35%, the highest level since the mid-1990s [19].