黄金飙涨！美国开市客兴起“淘金热”

Core Insights - Costco has introduced a limit on gold purchases, allowing members to buy a maximum of 4 items per transaction and 4 items every 24 hours, reflecting a growing interest in gold products [2] - The price of gold bars sold by Costco has seen significant appreciation, with a specific example showing a purchase price of approximately $1,950-$1,980 per ounce rising to around $4,200, marking an increase of over 100% [2] - The CFO of Costco indicated that gold and jewelry sales, along with health and beauty products, experienced double-digit growth in the latest quarter, with estimates suggesting monthly sales of gold bars and coins could reach $100 million to $200 million [2][4] Sales Performance - The price of spot gold reached $4,500 per ounce by December 24, 2023, with a year-to-date increase of over 70%, and projections suggest it could be around $2,600 per ounce by early 2025 [3] - Costco's digital sales increased by 15.6% year-over-year, with gold products contributing significantly to online revenue, which grew by 20% [3][4] - The membership model of Costco, combined with purchase limits, has stimulated demand for gold products, transforming them from niche items to highly sought-after commodities [4] Competitive Landscape - Competitors like Walmart are also entering the precious metals market, indicating a broader trend in retail [5] - Costco collaborates with reputable mints like the Royal Canadian Mint, ensuring that each gold bar comes with a serial number and certification, which helps mitigate the risk of counterfeits in a loosely regulated market [5] Membership Benefits - Enhanced membership benefits, such as a 2% shopping rebate for premium members, can be combined with credit card rewards, potentially offering up to 4% back when using Costco's Anywhere Visa credit card [7] - Some buyers are reportedly reselling gold bars for profit or using rebates to offset costs, which is one reason for the purchase limits imposed by Costco [7] - Industry experts predict that if economic uncertainty persists, Costco's precious metals business could exceed $3 billion in annual sales by 2027, enhancing the company's profitability and potentially changing how Americans preserve wealth [7]