Ross Norman of Sharps Pixley, London's top bullion broker, forecasts a tight range for gold; $1,260 on the downside, a $1,400 high and $1,358 average. Norman has been the most accurate forecaster in recent years coming in as the outright winner five times and a runner up four times.

Silver is forecast to increase by 4% in 2018 to average $17.81 an ounce. Forecasters are bullish about the prospects for platinum which is predicted to add 3.1% on average while high-flying palladium – last year's best performing precious metal alongside rhodium, will ease back to $1,080 during the year, a $80 premium to sister metal platinum's annual average.