Bank of America backs gold for all-time high this year as precious metal surges

Gold last traded at $1,781 an ounce. Silver at $18.00 an ounce.

NEWS SUMMARY: Precious metal prices inched toward fresh 7-year highs Friday on safe-haven buying. U.S. stocks fell amid concerns over the rising number of coronavirus cases in the U.S. and its impact on the economic recovery.

CNBC---"Gold has continued to rise of late as a resurgence of coronavirus cases, particularly in the U.S., has dented some of the investor optimism about the speed of a post-pandemic recovery....The precious metal is up by around 16% since the start of the year, and analysts see the broad rally continuing as uncertainty abounds over the virus and reemerging global trade tensions. Bank of America Chief Global FICC Technical Strategist Paul Ciana said the uptrend in gold prices is set to test the 2012 highs of $1,790-1,805/oz in the next week. Should it break through expected resistance at $1,800, bullion will then set its sights on the all-time high of $1,920.70 made in 2011, Ciana said in a note Wednesday. 'The breakout occurring now that is ending Q2 completes an eight week trading range that has resumed higher,' Ciana explained. 'The range breakout targets 1900 while the head and shoulders continuation confirmed in April targets 1947. These patterns say gold can make a new all-time high in the (second half of 2020) with Q3 on our mind.' Ciana suggested that a wave leading gold prices into the $2,000s is already underway, with an upside scenario of $2,114-$2,296."