Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-10-20 05:57Core Viewpoint - The continuous rise in gold prices has led major jewelry brands to announce price increases for their gold products, with some brands experiencing price hikes of up to 35% [2][6]. Group 1: Price Adjustments by Jewelry Brands - Chow Tai Fook plans to raise retail prices of gold products by 12% to 18% by the end of October due to the impact of rising gold prices on costs [1]. - Lao Pu Gold announced its third price adjustment of the year, with increases expected on October 26, following previous hikes of under 10% in February and 10% to 12% in August [1]. - Other brands like Chow Sang Sang and Chow Tai Sheng are also set to increase their gold jewelry prices, with Chow Sang Sang's increase ranging from 25% to 35% and Chow Tai Sheng's expected to be around 15% [2]. Group 2: Consumer Experiences and Issues - Consumers have reported delays and cancellations in receiving their gold orders, with some experiencing significant price differences between the purchase price and current market prices [2][3]. - A consumer named Jia Jia faced issues with an order for a gold bar, where the seller canceled the order after the market price increased, leading to frustration over the lack of fulfillment [2]. - Another consumer, Mr. Zheng, had his order canceled unexpectedly while it was in transit, highlighting the challenges faced by buyers in the current market [3][4]. Group 3: Market Trends and Predictions - The price of gold has surged significantly, with London gold prices surpassing $4,000 per ounce and reaching over $4,200 per ounce, marking a year-to-date increase of over 60% [6]. - Major investment banks have raised their gold price forecasts, with Bank of America predicting a target price of $5,000 per ounce by 2026, while Goldman Sachs has adjusted its forecast to $4,900 per ounce [6]. - Analysts attribute the rising gold prices to factors such as increased demand for defensive assets amid economic uncertainty and geopolitical changes, as well as expectations of further interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve [7].