Core Viewpoint - The buying logic for gold is undergoing a transformation, with a decline in consumer demand for jewelry and a simultaneous rise in investment and reserve demand [3][4]. Group 1: Consumer Demand Trends - The price of gold jewelry has surpassed 1300 RMB per gram, leading many consumers to hesitate or abandon purchases of traditional gold ornaments [3]. - In the first three quarters of 2025, China's gold jewelry consumption dropped by 32.50% year-on-year, contributing to an overall decline in gold consumption of 7.95% [3][4]. Group 2: Investment Demand Dynamics - Investment demand for gold bars, coins, and ETFs is increasing, contrasting with the decline in jewelry consumption [3]. - Central banks globally are significantly increasing their gold reserves, with China's central bank adding 3,000 ounces (approximately 1 ton) in October, marking the twelfth consecutive month of increases [4]. Group 3: Macroeconomic Influences - The shift in gold demand is driven by a profound restructuring of the global macro environment, including fluctuating U.S. monetary policy, increased dollar credit volatility, and ongoing geopolitical conflicts [4]. - The demand for gold as a sovereign risk-free asset is rising, with its strategic importance in national balance sheets increasing [4][5]. Group 4: Private Sector Investment Behavior - In the first three quarters, consumption of gold bars and coins in China increased by 24.55%, while gold ETFs benefited from tax exemptions, attracting significant investment [6]. - The introduction of differentiated VAT policies has accelerated the market's shift towards an investment-led structure [6]. Group 5: Supply-Side Developments - New discoveries in gold mining, such as the Dandong gold mine with an estimated resource of nearly 1,500 tons, are expected to enhance China's long-term resource security [6]. Group 6: Market Outlook - Despite a recent slight pullback in gold prices from a high of 4,100 USD per ounce, institutions maintain an optimistic outlook, with UBS setting a 12-month target of 4,200 USD per ounce [7]. - The assessment of gold's value is shifting from traditional metrics to a focus on central bank reserve changes, global open interest, and ETF flows [7].