YES, new gTLDs will rank higher than the old TLDs, e.g. com
New top-level domains to trump .com in Google search results
The author is Adrian Kinderis, an internet industry thought leader and CEO of ARI Registry Services, a company, who helps applicants to get their own TLD and run the technical infrastructure.
NO, new gTLDs will not rank better:
Matt (Google): No, new TLDs will not automatically get a boost over .com in search results
Domain Name Wire discusses both articles and puts them into perspective.
In the meantime, FORBES magazine described what to do with your old domain name after you switched branding to a new one: Never-ever let it expire.
Another report says, almost half of brand owners are looking to apply for their own gTLD.