NEW YORK - August 31, 2010 - Investors are accumulating enough bullion to fill Switzerland’s vaults twice over as gold’s most accurate forecasters say the longest rally in at least nine decades has further to go no matter what the economy holds.

Analysts raised their 2011 forecasts more than for any other precious metal the past two months, predicting a 10th annual advance, data compiled by Bloomberg show. The most widely held option on gold futures traded in New York is for $1,500 an ounce by December, or 18% more than the record $1,266.50 reached June 21.

Holdings through bullion-backed exchange-traded products are already at more than 2,075 metric tons, within 0.1% of the all-time high.

“Either a swift economic recovery or further dismal economic performance should bring new buyers into the market,” said Eugene Weinberg, an analyst at Commerzbank AG in Frankfurt who was the most accurate forecaster in the first quarter and expects the metal to rise as high as $1,400 next year. “A stronger economy would create more jewelry demand. If the economy stays weak or gets worse, then investors will be looking for a safe haven.”