CME Group(US:CME) Jin Shi Shu Ju·2025-10-21 03:40Group 1 - Central bank demand has been a key driver for gold prices since the end of 2022, but recent trading data indicates that investment demand has become a new engine of momentum for the precious metal [1] - CME Group reported a record total trading volume of 2.829666 million metal contracts last Friday, surpassing the previous record of 2.14899 million contracts set two weeks prior [1] - Gold prices reached a historical high near $4,400 per ounce before significantly retreating, closing down nearly 2% last Friday [1] Group 2 - The trading volume for retail investors in small contracts also hit a record, with micro gold futures (one-tenth the size of a standard 100-ounce contract) achieving a daily volume of 1.267436 million contracts [1] - The electronic mini gold futures, which are half the size of standard contracts, set a record with 12,818 contracts traded [1] - The newly launched one-ounce gold futures recorded a trading volume of 199,928 contracts and an open interest record of 20,326 contracts [1] Group 3 - Global clients continue to use gold futures and options to hedge risks and seek opportunities in a complex environment, driven by both large institutions and retail traders [2] - The World Gold Council reported a significant inflow of 59.2 tons of gold into global gold-backed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) last week, marking the largest single-week increase since March 2020 [2] - Despite record demand, gold remains an under-allocated asset, with only 2.4% of current investment portfolios allocated to gold, according to Abrdn ETF strategy director Robert Minter [2]