Gold prices continue to struggle as persistent inflation and rising interest rates drive investors toward higher-yielding assets; however, one precious metals analyst says the market is consolidating rather than entering a bear market, with the structural drivers that supported last year's historic rally remaining firmly intact.

BloombergNEF has cut its 2026 global solar installation forecast to 584 GW, down 10.8% from 2025, driven by a sharper-than-expected slowdown in China.

Electronics demand outside solar is forecast to rise from 262.9 Moz to 271.9 Moz this year, ~9 Moz more.
Solar PV's 35.6 Moz fall still outweighs that gain in 2026, while the market heads for a sixth straight deficit year.