Gold Forecasts Put Some Shine on This ETF

Gold’s indomitable run has carried over into 2026 and the stars are aligning for more upside. Attribute some of that bull case to strong gold ETF inflows around the world.

Speaking of gold ETFs, which are among the most popular avenues for accessing the commodity, the NEOS Gold High Income ETF (IAUI) is worthy of closer examination. Not yet a year old, IAUI has become a force in the gold income arena. Indeed, the NEOS fund may be poised for more momentum as major banks boost bullion price targets.

That’s exactly what JPMorgan recently did, lifting its gold price target to $6,300 per troy ounce from just over $5,000. In what could be good news for ETFs such as IAUI, the bank sees gold morphing from a tactical asset to a core holding for many investors.

Encouraging Near-Term Outlook for IAUI

As an options-based ETF designed to deliver high levels of income to investors, IAUI doesn’t fully participate in gold bull markets, one of which is occurring today. However, the fund does offer some upside participation. Add in the fund’s impressive income stream, and it’s easy to see why some investors are flocking to this rookie ETF.

Still, IAUI’s ability to participate in some of gold’s appreciation is pertinent. In fact, many experts believe the path of least resistance for the commodity is higher.

“Even with the recent near-term volatility, we remain firmly bullishly convinced in gold over the medium-term on the back of ⁠a clean, structural, ‌continued diversification trend that has further to run amid a still well-entrenched regime of real asset ‍outperformance vs. paper assets,” said JPMorgan.

The bank’s longer-ranging bull case for gold could ascend to $8,000 an ounce (or beyond) if global investors even modestly increase their exposure to the commodity.

“JPMorgan analysts estimate private investors currently hold around a 3 percent allocation to gold. If that share rises moderately to 4.6 percent, the incremental demand would challenge a market already constrained by limited new mine supply and persistent central‑bank buying,” reported FXStreet.

And if that’s not enough for investors mulling IAUI, there are other catalysts that buoy the outlook for this upstart ETF.

“There’s a laundry list of reasons why, but the biggest driver may be a new era of geopolitical volatility and fragmentation, incentivizing investors to buy the precious metal. Now add on worries about currency debasement, growth, inflation, and irresponsible fiscal finances that haven’t been fully reflected in sovereign assets. It’s no wonder the precious metal has been a popular asset for investors during times of stress,” added JPMorgan.