Beijing Caishikou Department Store (SH:605599) Sou Hu Cai Jing·2026-02-19 11:40Core Viewpoint - International precious metal prices are rising, with spot gold surpassing $5000 per ounce, reflecting a daily increase of over 2.5% [1] Group 1: Market Trends - On February 18, the market is awaiting the upcoming release of the Federal Reserve's January monetary policy meeting minutes and important U.S. inflation data to assess the direction of Fed policy [4] - The CME FedWatch Tool indicates that the market expects the Federal Reserve to likely begin interest rate cuts in June [4] - Gold and silver prices are experiencing a technical rebound after significant declines, supported by geopolitical tensions and ongoing negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, as well as between Russia and Ukraine, which have increased safe-haven demand for precious metals [4] Group 2: Consumer Behavior - Despite gold prices reaching historical highs, consumer enthusiasm for purchasing gold remains strong, with significant sales of gold jewelry and investment bars during the Spring Festival period [6] - Notably, 1000-gram investment gold bars have sold out, indicating high demand, particularly for larger weights as gifts during the festive season [6] - The price for 24K gold is reported at 1528 CNY per gram, with investment gold bars priced at 1112 CNY per gram, making a 1000-gram investment gold bar cost approximately 1.112 million CNY [6] Group 3: Analyst Insights - Analysts suggest that expectations of a cooling in Fed rate cut prospects may create resistance for gold prices around the $5000 mark, with some investors taking profits, adding downward pressure on prices [8] - HSBC's chief precious metals analyst notes that while gold is a safe-haven asset, it is still subject to price volatility, and market fluctuations may be a significant characteristic of the precious metals market in 2026 [8] - The next Federal Reserve Chair, Kevin Warsh, has indicated that reducing the Fed's balance sheet could have a continued negative impact on international gold prices, emphasizing the need for the Fed to maintain its professional independence [8]