Guolian Minsheng Securities·2026-01-16 06:32Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the precious metals sector, highlighting strong growth potential for key companies in the industry [4][5]. Core Insights - The report emphasizes that gold prices are expected to rise due to a combination of factors including a weakening U.S. economy, ongoing interest rate cuts, and increased demand from central banks [10][11]. - Silver is noted for its dual attributes as both an industrial and financial asset, with expectations for a price rebound driven by industrial demand, particularly in photovoltaic applications [11][10]. Summary by Sections 1. U.S. Economic Outlook - The U.S. economy is facing downward pressure, with a notable increase in unemployment rates and a decline in consumer confidence [19][26]. - The Federal Reserve is likely to continue its rate-cutting cycle, which historically correlates with rising gold prices [29][35]. 2. Sovereign Currency Credit Decline - Central banks have significantly increased gold purchases as a hedge against declining currency credit, with global central bank gold buying exceeding 1,000 tons annually for three consecutive years [8][61]. - The report indicates that the expansion of central bank balance sheets has led to a devaluation of fiat currencies, further supporting gold prices [61][66]. 3. Geopolitical Issues and Investment Demand - Geopolitical tensions and trade policies have heightened risk aversion, leading to increased investments in gold [10][11]. - The report notes a surge in ETF holdings and trading activity in gold, reflecting strong demand from emerging market investors [11][10]. 4. Silver Market Dynamics - Silver's industrial demand, particularly in solar energy, is expected to grow, creating a supply-demand gap that could drive prices higher [11][10]. - The report highlights the historical inverse relationship between the gold-silver ratio and PMI, suggesting potential for silver price increases [11][10]. 5. Investment Recommendations - The report recommends several companies in the precious metals sector, including Zijin Mining International, China National Gold, and Western Gold, among others, as having strong growth prospects [4][11].