宏源期货王文虎：全球债务膨胀支撑金价，贵金属易涨难跌

Core Viewpoint - The precious metals market is gaining attention due to the deep adjustments in the global economic landscape and the shift in major central banks' monetary policies, with rising debt expectations providing solid support for gold and silver prices, highlighting their safe-haven and anti-inflation properties in the current environment [1] Monetary Policy Shift - The direction of the Federal Reserve's monetary policy is a core variable affecting global asset prices. Current complex economic data in the U.S. shows manufacturing PMI below the growth line for several months, while the job market shows signs of volatility. Inflation, although down from its peak, remains sticky, reinforcing market expectations for future rate cuts and a "technical expansion" of the balance sheet [2] - The Federal Reserve plans to end balance sheet reduction by December 2025 and initiate a monthly "Reserve Management Purchase" plan of approximately $40 billion to address liquidity pressures in April 2026, interpreted by the market as a signal of easing [2] Fiscal Expansion and Debt Growth - Global trends toward fiscal expansion support precious metals. The U.S. government debt ceiling has been raised again, with significant projected deficits due to the "big beautiful" plan from the Trump administration, leading to concerns about the long-term value of the dollar [3] - The European Union is loosening fiscal discipline in response to geopolitical pressures, allowing member states to increase defense spending, while the UK plans to increase investments despite rising net debt [3] Correlation with Sovereign Debt - Japan's recent announcement of an economic stimulus plan exceeding 21 trillion yen, partially funded by new bonds, indicates a strong positive correlation between gold prices and the total outstanding debt of major economies like the U.S., EU, UK, and Japan. The expansion of sovereign debt erodes currency purchasing power, enhancing gold's value as a safe-haven asset [4] Multi-layered Support for Precious Metals - In addition to macroeconomic factors, other elements provide multi-layered support for precious metal prices. Central banks have been increasing gold reserves since 2023, reflecting diversification needs and long-term strategic considerations for a diversified international monetary system [5] - Geopolitical risks, including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and Middle East tensions, continue to create uncertainty, potentially driving safe-haven buying [5] - Industrial demand for silver is expected to grow due to advancements in green technology and AI, with the World Silver Association predicting a widening supply-demand gap by 2026, enhancing price elasticity [5] Market Outlook - Overall, the precious metals market is expected to see upward price movement supported by global debt expansion, a shift toward monetary easing, central bank gold purchases, and geopolitical uncertainties, leading to a scenario where prices are likely to rise but difficult to fall [6]