Group 1 - The spot gold price has surpassed $3500 per ounce, reaching a new historical high of $3501.030, with a daily increase of 0.74% [1][2] - The highest price recorded during the day was $3501.880, while the lowest was $3473.878 [2] - Domestic gold jewelry prices have also seen significant increases, with Chow Sang Sang priced at 1041 RMB per gram, up by 16 RMB, and Lao Miao Gold at 1034 RMB, up by 11 RMB [3][4] Group 2 - On September 1, international gold prices surged, with December futures on the New York Mercantile Exchange reaching a peak of $3550 per ounce, marking a historical high [5] - The weakening US dollar, which hit a five-week low, has contributed to the rise in international gold prices, driven by market expectations of a potential interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve [5][7] - In August, international gold prices experienced a cumulative increase of over 5%, representing the best monthly performance since April [7]

Core Viewpoint - The international gold market has shown significant recovery, moving away from the traditional "summer lull" due to rising expectations of Federal Reserve interest rate cuts, a weakening dollar, and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties [1][2]. Factors Supporting Gold Price Recovery - **Macroeconomic Expectations**: There is a renewed market expectation for Federal Reserve interest rate cuts, leading to a weaker dollar, which enhances the appeal of gold as a non-yielding asset [2]. - **Safe-Haven Demand**: Economic and political risks in various global regions continue to support gold as a safe-haven asset, attracting capital inflows [2]. - **Central Bank Gold Purchases**: Several central banks are increasing their gold reserves, providing long-term support for gold prices [2]. Impact of Holidays on Gold Price Trends - **Market Liquidity**: During holidays, market liquidity typically decreases, which can lead to three potential scenarios affecting gold prices: - **Increased Volatility**: Low trading volumes can cause significant price fluctuations in response to large orders [4]. - **Delayed Market Response**: Important economic data or news released during holidays may not be immediately reflected in the market, leading to concentrated reactions when trading resumes [4]. - **Trend Continuation with Slower Pace**: If gold prices are in a strong upward trend before the holiday, the pace may slow down, but the overall trend direction is unlikely to change [4]. Long-Term Trends vs. Short-Term Fluctuations - **Focus on Long-Term Trends**: The core factors influencing the medium to long-term trajectory of gold prices are primarily the monetary policy directions of major economies and changes in real interest rate expectations, while short-term holiday effects mainly influence trading rhythm rather than trend direction [5]. - **Investment Strategies**: - Monitor market sentiment and position adjustments after the holiday [5]. - Keep an eye on key events such as Federal Reserve meeting minutes and non-farm payroll data, as these will directly impact market expectations regarding Fed policies and gold prices [5]. - Consider a phased investment approach to mitigate risks associated with potential short-term volatility following the holiday [5].

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Positive" investment rating for the industry [10]. Core Insights - Gold prices have confirmed a breakout from the quarterly range, emphasizing the potential for a rebound in precious metals. The A-share bull market does not necessarily imply that gold will underperform, as the focus remains on the gold price itself. Three catalysts have driven the gold price breakout: 1) Strengthened expectations for interest rate cuts, with market expectations for a September rate cut rising to nearly 90%; 2) Renewed geopolitical risks, particularly the temporary tensions in the Russia-Ukraine situation and trade concerns due to Trump's 50% tariff on India; 3) Continued central bank gold purchases, with global central banks increasing their gold holdings for nine consecutive months, and China maintaining net purchases in July [2][6]. Summary by Sections Precious Metals - Gold prices have confirmed a breakout from the quarterly range, highlighting the potential for a rebound in the precious metals sector. The report suggests that the second round of interest rate cuts in September may lead to a quarterly-level resonance in gold stocks across price, valuation, and style dimensions. The report recommends increasing allocations to gold stocks such as Zhaojin Mining, Chifeng Jilong Gold Mining, Shandong Gold, Shandong Gold International, and Shengda Resources [6][2]. Industrial Metals - The report indicates that industrial metals are in the early stages of a cyclical reversal, with copper and aluminum leading the way. The recent rebound in industrial metals is attributed to enhanced expectations for interest rate cuts and a weaker dollar. The report notes that copper inventories have decreased, while aluminum inventories have increased. It anticipates that copper and aluminum demand may decline in the second half of the year, but supply elasticity will limit the extent of deterioration. The report suggests that copper and aluminum equities may outperform as the cycle reverses [7][6]. Strategic and Minor Metals - The report highlights the strategic metals, particularly rare earths and tungsten, as they are expected to undergo a value reassessment. The demand for rare earths is anticipated to recover due to improved orders and government policies emphasizing resource control. Tungsten prices are also expected to rise due to supply constraints. The report recommends focusing on companies involved in rare earths, tungsten, lithium, cobalt, and nickel, as they are likely to benefit from these trends [8][6].

Group 1: Industry Trends and Recommendations - The article emphasizes three key investment themes for the second half of the year: improvement in cash flow, expansion of domestic demand, and technological innovation [1] - Sectors recommended for cash flow improvement include engineering machinery, beverage and dairy, food processing, chemical pharmaceuticals, passenger vehicles, and industrial metals [1] - New consumption areas with high valuation attractiveness include gaming, cosmetics, personal care products, internet e-commerce, digital media, entertainment products, snacks, and feed [1] - Industries benefiting from the technological innovation cycle and domestic self-sufficiency policies include computer equipment, automation equipment, semiconductors, and national defense [1] - Specific sectors highlighted for attention are computers, machinery (engineering and automation), national defense, non-ferrous metals, and pharmaceuticals (chemical pharmaceuticals) [1] Group 2: Precious Metals Market Insights - The fundamentals of precious metals remain stable, with market risk appetite declining due to trade agreements between the US, Japan, and Europe, impacting gold prices [3] - The primary influence on gold prices is the US dollar index, with historical trends indicating that high gold prices struggle to rise significantly in a strong dollar environment [3] - The article suggests monitoring the dollar index closely, as easing tariffs suppress sentiment, and expectations for interest rate cuts are changing marginally [3] - Long-term, geopolitical uncertainties and US-China tariff policies will continue to drive demand for gold as a safe haven, with central bank purchases and stagflation trades being core to gold trading strategies [3] Group 3: Financial Sector Developments - Securities firms are actively seizing business opportunities by serving as lead underwriters or financial advisors for listed companies' private placements, expanding investment banking growth [5] - These firms are also participating in private placements to capture investment opportunities, benefiting from increased trading commissions and investment banking revenues during bull markets [5] - The banking sector has seen significant inflows from institutional funds, particularly public funds, which have increased their holdings in bank stocks due to policy effects and asset price stabilization [5] - Despite recent adjustments in the banking sector, medium-term investment attractiveness remains, with expectations of continued interest in bank stocks [5] Group 4: Market Dynamics and Monetary Policy - The Shanghai Composite Index is experiencing a stagnation trend, with financial stocks serving as market barometers, indicating potential shifts in capital flows [9] - There is an anticipated 50 basis points interest rate cut in the US, with expectations for the next cut possibly occurring in September, leading to a loosening of overseas liquidity [9] - The ChiNext Index is facing a pullback, with critical support levels being monitored to determine future market direction [9] - Domestic monetary policy will prioritize stabilizing growth and combating deflation in the second half of the year, with expectations for further interest rate cuts and reserve requirement ratio reductions [9]

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference call primarily discusses the **gold market** and its dynamics in relation to **U.S. economic policies** and **global demand trends** for gold, particularly focusing on **gold ETFs** and **central bank purchases**. Core Insights and Arguments 1. **Gold ETF Demand and Price Movement**: In the first half of 2024, global gold ETF demand led to an increase of approximately **397 tons**, reflecting a core avoidance of U.S. tariff policy risks, especially after the April tariff adjustments [1][4] 2. **Impact of U.S. Tariff Policies**: The fluctuating U.S. gold bar tariff policies significantly affected spot trade and market sentiment, with concerns about physical delivery risks on the COMEX exchange arising in early August [1][5] 3. **Federal Reserve's Interest Rate Decisions**: The Federal Reserve is expected to consider a **preventive rate cut** in September, which may not be substantial but could influence short-term gold market dynamics [1][6][10] 4. **Speculative Positions and Inflation Expectations**: Speculative positions have less impact on gold prices this year, correlating positively with long-term U.S. inflation expectations, contrasting with previous years [1][7] 5. **Central Bank Gold Purchases**: Central bank gold purchases totaled approximately **415 tons** in the first half of the year, a **21% decrease** year-on-year, indicating a slowdown in demand that has affected price trends [1][7] 6. **Market Adjustments and Volatility**: The gold market has entered a period of adjustment and low volatility, with ETF inflows decreasing significantly in July compared to earlier months [1][4][8] Additional Important Insights 1. **Geopolitical Factors**: The Asian market has become a significant contributor to gold demand following tariff changes, but demand has cooled since May due to tariff reductions [1][4] 2. **Historical Context of Gold Demand**: The current situation mirrors past periods of heightened gold demand during geopolitical tensions, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict [1][4] 3. **Future Outlook on Gold Prices**: The potential for further upward movement in gold prices exists if U.S. economic conditions worsen, but the sustainability of such trends remains uncertain [1][11][12] 4. **Market Sentiment and Trading Opportunities**: The current economic data and interest rate expectations may create short-term trading opportunities, but long-term risks related to U.S. economic growth need to be monitored [1][10][13] This summary encapsulates the key points discussed in the conference call, providing a comprehensive overview of the current state and future outlook of the gold market in relation to economic policies and global demand trends.

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Positive" outlook on the metals and new materials industry [1] Core Views - The report highlights a significant increase in the performance of the metals sector, with the non-ferrous metals index rising by 36.77% year-to-date, outperforming the CSI 300 index by 29.98 percentage points [5][9] - The report emphasizes the ongoing demand for industrial metals, particularly copper and aluminum, driven by increased production and investment in infrastructure [4][11] Weekly Market Review - The Shanghai Composite Index rose by 1.70%, while the Shenzhen Component Index increased by 4.55% [4] - The non-ferrous metals index outperformed the CSI 300 index by 1.25 percentage points, with notable increases in copper (5.95%) and aluminum (5.04%) prices [4][11] - Year-to-date performance shows significant gains across various metals, with small metals up by 49.02% and energy metals by 33.83% [11] Price Changes - Industrial metals prices showed mixed results, with copper prices increasing by 0.12% and aluminum decreasing by 0.08% [16] - Lithium prices surged, with battery-grade lithium carbonate rising by 17.48% and industrial-grade lithium carbonate by 19.42% [16] - Precious metals saw a decline, with COMEX gold prices dropping by 2.21% [16] Key Company Valuations - Notable companies in the sector include Zijin Mining, with a current stock price of 21.29 CNY and a projected PE ratio of 27 for 2023 [20] - Shandong Gold's stock price is 31.26 CNY, with a projected PE ratio of 60 for 2023 [20] - Companies like Huafeng Aluminum and Yunnan Aluminum are highlighted for their potential benefits from the ongoing market trends [20] Supply and Demand Analysis - The report indicates a tightening supply-demand balance in the aluminum market, with domestic electrolytic aluminum production at 373.96 million tons, down 1.8% year-on-year [52] - Copper supply remains relatively stable, with social inventory at 126,000 tons, reflecting a decrease of 0.6 million tons [35] - The report suggests that the demand for copper will be supported by ongoing investments in electrical infrastructure and home appliance subsidies [4][35]

Core Viewpoint - The recent price increase by Laopu Gold highlights the ongoing volatility in gold prices, influenced by Federal Reserve interest rate expectations and strong physical demand for gold [1][2][4]. Group 1: Price Adjustments - Laopu Gold announced a price adjustment set for August 25, marking the second price increase this year, as the company typically adjusts prices twice annually [2][3]. - The previous price adjustment in February saw increases ranging from 5% to 12% [4]. Group 2: Financial Performance - Laopu Gold's pre-earnings announcement indicated a projected sales performance of 14.3 billion yuan for the first half of 2025, representing a year-on-year increase of 252%, with adjusted net profit expected to reach 2.36 billion yuan, up approximately 292% [4]. Group 3: Market Demand and Trends - Strong physical demand has pushed domestic gold store prices above 1,000 yuan per gram, with current quotes reaching 1,012 yuan per gram [5]. - As of the end of July, China's gold reserves stood at 73.96 million ounces, reflecting a month-on-month increase of 60,000 ounces, marking nine consecutive months of accumulation [6]. Group 4: Global Central Bank Activity - The World Gold Council reported that global central bank gold purchases in the second quarter of 2024, although slowing, remained above the ten-year average by 40%, indicating a significant demand pillar for gold [8]. - The shift in household asset allocation towards gold is evident, with a notable decrease in household deposits and a corresponding increase in non-bank deposits, partially flowing into gold assets [8]. Group 5: Federal Reserve and Geopolitical Factors - Recent data showed that U.S. Producer Price Index (PPI) rose to 3.3% in July, exceeding expectations and cooling market expectations for a September interest rate cut, contributing to short-term volatility in gold prices [10]. - Geopolitical factors are creating a tug-of-war effect on gold prices, adding to the uncertainty in the market [11]. Group 6: Institutional Perspectives - Various institutions view the current environment as a favorable investment opportunity in the gold sector, with expectations of continued price increases driven by Federal Reserve policies and inflation data [12][13][14]. - However, some institutions express caution regarding potential risks in gold investments, including policy reversals and market dynamics [15].

Report Industry Investment Ratings - Gold: ★★, suggesting "Buy on Dips" [1] - Silver: ★★, recommending "Buy on Rebounds" [1] - Copper: ★★★, indicating "Hold Long Positions" [1] - Zinc: ★, "Cautiously Bullish" [1] - Lead: ★, "Rebound Under Pressure" [1] - Tin: ★★, "Rebound Under Pressure" [1] - Aluminum: ★, "Rebound Under Pressure" [1] - Nickel: ★★, "Rebound Under Pressure" [1] - Industrial Silicon: ★★, "Cautiously Bullish" [1] - Polysilicon: ★★, "Cautiously Bullish" [1] - Lithium Carbonate: ★★★, "Bullish" [1] Core Views - Gold and silver prices are affected by factors such as US - Russia summit, US policies, and central bank gold purchases. Long - term strategic allocation of gold is recommended, and silver has a long - term upward trend [1][2][3][4] - Copper prices are boosted by overseas copper concentrate disruptions, a weak US dollar, and better - than - expected domestic exports. Short - term long positions should be held, and long - term optimism is maintained [1][7][8] - Zinc shows an external - strong and internal - weak pattern. Short - term cautious bullishness is advised, and long - term opportunities to short at high prices should be grasped [1][10][11] - Aluminum prices are under pressure due to the off - season effect and weak downstream demand. Short - term shorting on rebounds is recommended [1][14][15] - Nickel prices face pressure on rebounds due to increasing supply and high inventory. Shorting on rebounds is suggested [1][18][19] - Lithium carbonate prices are supported by short - term fundamentals, funds, and sentiment. Long positions should be held [1][22][23] Summary by Related Catalogs Gold and Silver - **Market Review**: Gold prices are at a high level due to factors such as the upcoming Putin - Trump meeting and continuous central bank gold purchases [2] - **Basic Logic**: The US gold tariff issue, high global tariffs, and the upcoming US - Russia summit affect gold prices. In the long - term, the logic of a gold bull market remains unchanged [3] - **Strategy Recommendation**: In the short - term, there is clear support for gold at around 770, and silver is in a trading range of 9100 - 9350. Long - term long positions are recommended [4] Copper - **Market Review**: Shanghai copper oscillated strongly, testing the pressure level of 79,000 [7] - **Industrial Logic**: There have been continuous disruptions in copper concentrates globally, and domestic copper production has increased. The spot market is tight in the short - term, but downstream demand is weak due to the off - season and high prices [7] - **Strategy Recommendation**: Short - term long positions should be held, and long - term optimism is maintained. Shanghai copper is expected to be in the range of [78000, 80500], and London copper in the range of [9650, 9950] USD/ton [8] Zinc - **Market Review**: London zinc oscillated strongly, while Shanghai zinc traded in a narrow range [10] - **Industrial Logic**: Zinc concentrate supply is abundant in 2025, and domestic refined zinc production is expected to increase. Demand from downstream industries shows mixed performance [10] - **Strategy Recommendation**: Short - term cautious bullishness is advised, and long - term opportunities to short at high prices should be grasped. Shanghai zinc is expected to be in the range of [22400, 23000], and London zinc in the range of [2780, 2880] USD/ton [11] Aluminum - **Market Review**: Aluminum prices were under pressure, and alumina prices declined again [13] - **Industrial Logic**: The cost of electrolytic aluminum decreased in July, and inventory increased. Downstream demand is weak. Overseas bauxite imports are high, and alumina supply is expected to be loose [14] - **Strategy Recommendation**: Short - term shorting on rebounds is recommended, and attention should be paid to the inventory build - up during the off - season. The main operating range for Shanghai aluminum is [20000, 20900] [15] Nickel - **Market Review**: Nickel prices faced pressure on rebounds, and stainless steel prices rebounded and then declined [17] - **Industrial Logic**: Nickel ore prices in the Philippines are weak, and domestic refined nickel production increased. Stainless steel inventory pressure re - emerged during the off - season [18] - **Strategy Recommendation**: Shorting on rebounds for nickel and stainless steel is recommended, and attention should be paid to downstream inventory changes. The main operating range for nickel is [119000, 122000] [19] Lithium Carbonate - **Market Review**: The main contract LC2511 increased in price with increasing positions, rising by more than 5% [21] - **Industrial Logic**: Terminal demand is about to enter the peak season, and there may be a short - term supply - demand mismatch. Production increased, and inventory increased slightly [22] - **Strategy Recommendation**: Long positions should be held in the range of [75000, 81000] [23]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a positive outlook on the metals and new materials industry, indicating a "Buy" rating for the sector [1]. Core Insights - The report highlights a significant increase in metal prices, with the non-ferrous metals index rising by 5.78% over the past week, outperforming the CSI 300 index by 4.55 percentage points [4][5]. - Precious metals, particularly gold, are expected to continue their upward trend due to increased central bank purchases and a shift in market sentiment towards safety over yield [4][21]. - The report emphasizes the importance of supply-demand dynamics in the copper and aluminum markets, with expectations of price increases driven by stable demand and constrained supply [4][47]. Weekly Market Review - The Shanghai Composite Index rose by 2.11%, while the Shenzhen Component Index increased by 1.25% [5]. - The non-ferrous metals index has increased by 32.00% year-to-date, outperforming the CSI 300 index by 27.68 percentage points [8]. - Key segments such as precious metals and copper saw significant weekly gains, with precious metals up 8.04% and copper up 6.71% [9]. Price Changes - Industrial metals and precious metals experienced price increases, with LME copper, aluminum, lead, and zinc prices rising by 1.37%, 1.68%, 1.83%, and 3.67% respectively [14]. - The report notes a decrease in lithium prices, with battery-grade lithium carbonate down by 9.87% [14]. Inventory Changes - Copper inventories at LME increased by 9.95% week-on-week, while COMEX inventories rose by 1.72% [17]. - Aluminum social inventory remained stable at 56.4 thousand tons, with a slight increase in total aluminum inventory [47]. Key Company Valuations - The report provides valuations for key companies in the sector, with Zijin Mining priced at 20.54 CNY per share and a projected PE ratio of 26 for 2023 [18]. - Other notable companies include Shandong Gold at 32.88 CNY per share with a PE ratio of 63, and Huayou Cobalt at 43.81 CNY per share with a PE ratio of 22 [18]. Precious Metals Analysis - The report indicates that the SPRD+iShares gold ETF holdings increased by 0.7% to 1412 tons, reflecting growing investor confidence [21]. - The Chinese central bank's continued gold purchases are expected to support gold prices, with the current official reserve standing at 7396 tons [21]. Copper Market Insights - The report notes that the current copper spot price is 37.98 USD per dry ton, with domestic social inventory increasing to 132,000 tons [32]. - The operating rates for electrolytic copper rods and wire and cable production are reported at 68.9% and 69.9% respectively, indicating stable demand [32]. Aluminum Market Insights - The report highlights that the average price of A00 aluminum in Shanghai is 20,650 CNY per ton, reflecting a week-on-week increase of 0.63% [47]. - The operating rate for aluminum processing enterprises has risen to 58.70%, indicating a recovery in demand [47]. Steel Market Insights - The report indicates a slight decrease in rebar prices, with the current price at 3330 CNY per ton, while hot-rolled coil prices increased to 3440 CNY per ton [72].

1. Report Industry Investment Rating No relevant content provided. 2. Core Views - Fundamentals: Since July, the cease - fire between Israel and Hamas has cooled the Middle East tension, weakening the impact of geopolitical conflicts on precious metal prices. The U.S. tariff trade policy is fickle. Trump postponed the implementation of "reciprocal tariffs" from July 9th to August 1st and sent tariff letters to trading partners. Trade progress boosts the U.S. dollar and market risk sentiment, while deadlocks in negotiations with some countries support the safe - haven appeal of precious metals. With the Fed's interest - rate cut expectation rising, precious metal prices are expected to break through the oscillation range. COMEX gold futures reached a high of $3451.7 per ounce, and COMEX silver futures hit $39.91 per ounce [3]. - Capital: Last month, COMEX gold and silver inventories increased. Global gold reserves continued to rise, with the People's Bank of China increasing its gold holdings for the eighth consecutive month. Gold and silver ETF fund inflows increased, and hedge funds increased their long - positions in gold. The global demand and reserves of gold maintained growth, and ETF investment demand remained strong, providing bottom support for precious metal prices [3]. - Strategy: As tariff sentiment eases, the impact of trade policy changes on precious metal prices will gradually weaken. The weak U.S. labor data and the rising expectation of a Fed interest - rate cut will boost precious metal prices. The Shanghai gold price is bullish in the long - term, has an upward trend in the short - term, and it is recommended to hold long or buy low and sell high in the medium - term. The Shanghai silver price shows a slight increase in the short - term, and it is advisable to pay attention to long - position opportunities and buy on dips in the medium - term [3]. 3. Summary by Directory 3.1 Market Review - Key Indicator Changes: COMEX gold futures rose 1.97% to $3416 per ounce, and COMEX silver futures increased 2.37% to $37.11 per ounce. COMEX gold inventory rose 4.5% to 3871.56 million ounces, and COMEX silver inventory increased 1.09% to 50666.16 million ounces. The speculative net long - position of COMEX gold increased 10.7% to 22.36 million lots, while that of COMEX silver decreased 6.3% to 5.94 million lots [6]. - Gold - Silver Ratio: Since July, the gold - silver ratio at home and abroad has been falling, but it is still significantly higher than the long - term average, indicating that the silver price is undervalued and has the opportunity to make up for the increase [7]. - Price Difference: The price difference between domestic and foreign markets of gold and silver has decreased compared with last month. In July, affected by tariffs and interest - rate cut expectations, precious metal prices showed an oscillating trend [10]. 3.2 Macro - environment - U.S. Dollar Index: In July, the U.S. dollar index first rose and then fell, affected by U.S. economic data and tariff policies. The strong non - farm payrolls report in early July strengthened the U.S. dollar, while the trade agreement uncertainties with Japan, the EU and other countries, along with Trump's pressure on the Fed, weakened the U.S. dollar [13]. - U.S. Treasury Yields: The real yields of 5 - year and 10 - year U.S. Treasuries first rose and then fell last month, causing precious metal prices to oscillate [15]. - Key Economic Data: In June, the U.S. core PCE price index rose 2.8% year - on - year, and the overall PCE price index rose 2.6% year - on - year. The CPI in June also rebounded. In July, the ISM manufacturing PMI was 48, below expectations, while the ISM services PMI in June was 50.8, slightly higher than expected. Retail sales in June increased 0.6% month - on - month. In July, ADP employment increased by 104,000, but the labor market cooled. Non - farm payrolls in July dropped to 73,000, and the unemployment rate rose to 4.2% [20][23][26]. - Fed's Decision: In July, the Fed kept the interest rate unchanged with a 9 - 2 vote. There are differences within the Fed, and it maintains a wait - and - see stance. The U.S. tariff trade policy is volatile, and recent trade progress has boosted the U.S. dollar and market risk sentiment [32]. - Central Bank Gold Buying: 43% of surveyed central banks plan to increase gold reserves in the next 12 months. In the second quarter of 2025, global gold demand increased 3% year - on - year. The People's Bank of China has increased its gold holdings for eight consecutive months, and global central banks' gold - buying demand will support the gold price [33]. 3.3 Position Analysis - Hedge Fund Positions: As of July 29, 2025, CMX gold speculative net long - positions increased by 2.16 million lots to 22.36 million lots, while CMX silver speculative net long - positions decreased by 0.4 million lots to 5.94 million lots [36]. - ETF Positions: As of August 1, 2025, the SPDR gold ETF holdings increased by 4.85 tons to 953.08 tons, and the SLV silver ETF holdings increased by 187.66 tons to 15056.66 tons, indicating accelerated fund inflows into gold and silver ETFs [37]. 3.4 Other Elements - Inventory: As of August 1, 2025, COMEX gold inventory increased 4.5% to 3871.56 million ounces, and COMEX silver inventory increased 1.09% to 50666.16 million ounces [41]. - Demand: In July 2025, global gold reserves increased by 31.55 tons to 36305.84 tons, and China's gold reserves increased by 1.86 tons to 2296.35 tons. In the second quarter of 2025, global gold demand increased 3% year - on - year. The global silver gap is expected to narrow by 21% in 2025, and industrial demand for silver remains strong [44]. - Outlook: As tariff sentiment eases, the impact of trade policies on precious metal prices will weaken. The U.S. labor market imbalance provides an opportunity for the Fed to cut interest rates, which will boost precious metal prices. Central banks' gold - buying strategies also support precious metal prices. However, attention should be paid to the impact of tariff implementation, economic data, and geopolitical risks [45].