Core Viewpoint - The gold prices have experienced a significant decline recently, marking a notable drop since mid-April, with spot gold prices falling below the $3200 mark for the first time in May [1][2]. Group 1: Gold Price Trends - As of May 15, 2023, the international gold price has decreased by 2.26%, settling at $3176.58 per ounce, while COMEX gold futures fell by 2.07% to $3180.70 per ounce [2]. - The domestic gold jewelry prices have also followed the downward trend, with various brands reporting price reductions [8]. Group 2: Domestic Gold Prices - On May 15, 2023, the price of gold jewelry from major brands was reported as follows: Chow Sang Sang at 975 RMB per gram, down from 992 RMB per gram, a decrease of 17 RMB [9][10]. - Other brands reported similar price adjustments, with Chow Tai Fook at 976 RMB per gram and Lao Miao at 972 RMB per gram [11][14]. Group 3: Banking Sector Adjustments - Several banks have raised the minimum purchase amount for gold accumulation services, with the threshold now set at 1000 RMB for institutions like China Merchants Bank and Everbright Bank [16][19]. - The adjustments were made to enhance risk management in response to market fluctuations, with banks like Construction Bank and Bank of China also modifying their gold accumulation product purchase conditions [17][23].

Economic Developments - Significant progress has been made in high-level economic talks between the US and China, with both sides reaching important consensus [1][3] - The US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expressed satisfaction with the productive nature of the negotiations, indicating that a detailed briefing would follow [3] - The US Trade Representative emphasized the constructive nature of the discussions, highlighting the need to address the substantial trade deficit [3] Market Reactions - Following the news of the trade talks, US stock futures surged, with the Dow Jones rising by 1%, S&P 500 by 1.2%, and Nasdaq by 1.5% [1] - The offshore Chinese yuan experienced a significant increase, rising nearly 200 points, while Asian markets opened positively across the board [1] Gold Market Dynamics - International gold prices opened lower, with a decline exceeding 1%, and prices dropping to below $3,260 per ounce [4] - COMEX gold futures also faced pressure, opening nearly 2% lower at $3,283.7 per ounce [5] - Domestic gold jewelry prices followed suit, with notable decreases in prices for major brands [6] Future Gold Price Predictions - Analysts predict short-term volatility in gold prices, but a long-term upward trend is expected, with Goldman Sachs forecasting prices to reach $3,700 per ounce by the end of 2025 and $4,000 by mid-2026 [9] - China's gold reserves have increased for six consecutive months, with a total of 7.377 million ounces reported at the end of April, reflecting a growing trend in central bank gold purchases globally [10] Regulatory Actions - Several banks have issued warnings against using credit cards for gold trading, citing risks associated with market volatility and regulatory compliance [12][13] - The banks emphasize that credit card funds should only be used for daily consumption and not for investment purposes, including gold [12][13]