Core Viewpoint - The gold market in 2025 presents challenges due to high volatility, but this does not alter the trend of listed banks deepening their precious metals business, supported by global central banks increasing gold reserves [1] Policy and Market Environment - As of September 2025, China's official gold reserves reached 74.06 million ounces, marking an increase of 40,000 ounces from August, continuing an 11-month growth trend [1] - In Q2 2025, global central banks added 166 tons of gold to their reserves, with 95% of surveyed central banks expecting further increases in the next 12 months [1] - The Financial Regulatory Bureau's pilot program for insurance funds to invest in gold creates new opportunities for banks to provide services to insurance institutions, enhancing their middle-income business [2] Business Dynamics and Revenue Contribution - In the first half of 2025, China's gold consumption was 505.205 tons, a year-on-year decrease of 3.54%, with gold jewelry consumption down 26% and gold bars and coins up 23.69% [3] - The demand for gold bars and coins reflects a growing need for gold as a hedge and store of value, positioning banks as key channels for these products [3] - The decline in gold jewelry consumption may lead banks to focus more on investment-type precious metals business, enhancing revenue stability [3] Risks and Outlook - High volatility in the gold market poses a significant challenge for listed banks, testing their risk control capabilities in proprietary trading and client asset preservation [4] - Future profitability from precious metals will depend on banks' ability to establish robust risk management systems and optimize asset allocation [4] - Banks with strong risk control and market-making capabilities are likely to strengthen their competitive position and expand market share [4]

Core Viewpoint - The international gold price has reached a new high, surpassing $3600 per ounce, driven by increased market risk aversion and a significant year-to-date increase of over 36% in gold prices [1][10]. Retail Gold Business Expansion - Banks are actively expanding their retail gold business in response to rising consumer demand, with products like investment gold bars and accumulation gold being promoted to capture market share [1][3]. - Industrial and Commercial Bank of China launched a marketing campaign during the Qixi Festival, offering zero-fee accumulation gold purchases through platforms like Alipay and Tencent Finance [1]. - The retail gold business is seen as enhancing customer loyalty and service capabilities, with products like accumulation gold meeting asset allocation and preservation needs, thereby increasing transaction frequency and cross-selling opportunities in wealth management and insurance [3]. Performance Metrics - Postal Savings Bank reported a significant increase in gold accumulation trading amounting to 5.569 billion yuan, a year-on-year growth of 238.78%, and gold sales of 1.424 billion yuan, up 69.16% [4]. - The appeal of retail gold among younger consumers is growing, with nearly 100 million views on social media platforms discussing bank gold bars [4]. Gold Repurchase Services - Banks are enhancing their gold repurchase systems, with Industrial and Commercial Bank establishing 133 new gold repurchase service outlets to improve service coverage and volume [5]. Institutional Gold Business - The institutional gold business is also crucial, offering services such as gold leasing, price hedging, and the sale of precious metal products to corporate clients [6]. - The Shanghai Gold Exchange has approved 13 market makers for interbank gold inquiry trading, with Postal Savings Bank becoming a trial market maker [6]. Insurance Capital Involvement - The entry of insurance capital into the gold market is expected to drive banks' intermediary income through services like transaction execution and asset custody [9][10]. - China Bank reported a 37% increase in precious metal income in the first half of the year, while Industrial Bank led in interbank gold trading volume with over 3 trillion yuan [9][10].

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the articles is that the inclusion of insurance companies in gold trading through the Shanghai Gold Exchange marks a significant shift in investment strategies, allowing for diversification and potential higher returns amidst a declining interest rate environment [2][3]. - The pilot program initiated by the financial regulatory authority allows ten insurance companies to invest in various gold-related products, which is expected to enhance their asset-liability management and overall investment capabilities [2][3]. - The entry of insurance capital into the gold market is anticipated to inject long-term funds, thereby increasing market depth and promoting the healthy development of the gold market, while also enhancing the pricing power of the RMB in gold transactions [3]. Group 2 - Insurance companies are expected to benefit from gold investments as a hedge against inflation and economic volatility, providing a low correlation with traditional asset classes, which can improve portfolio stability and risk management [3]. - Experts emphasize the importance of establishing robust risk management frameworks for insurance institutions, including the use of risk assessment models to monitor market and operational risks associated with gold investments [4]. - A comprehensive approach involving fundamental, technical, sentiment, and quantitative analyses is recommended to understand the factors influencing gold prices, which will aid in making informed investment decisions [4].

● 本报记者 陈露 国家金融监督管理总局2月7日对外公布《关于开展保险资金投资黄金业务试点的通知》，决定开展保险 资金投资黄金业务试点，确定10家试点保险公司。根据《通知》，试点保险公司可以中长期资产配置为 目的，开展投资黄金业务试点。试点投资黄金范围包括在上海黄金交易所主板上市或交易的黄金现货实 盘合约、黄金现货延期交收合约、上海金集中定价合约、黄金询价即期合约、黄金询价掉期合约和黄金 租借业务。 3月24日，上海黄金交易所发布公告称，同意吸收人保财险、中国人寿、平安人寿、太保寿险成为上海 黄金交易所会员。 记者调研了解到，上海黄金交易所及相关试点保险机构在前期做了充分的人员、系统等准备。上海黄金 交易所表示，该所协同试点保险公司建立投资管理制度、完善信息管理系统、配备合格岗位人员，引导 会员根据资产配置和风险管理要求制定合理配置和投资策略，灵活应用多种交易方式分期分批在中长期 有序建仓，做好险资参与上海黄金交易所市场的各项保障工作。 中国人寿相关负责人表示，公司前期开展了扎实的准备工作，包括专业人员配备、制度流程建设、信息 系统开发、风控体系搭建、投资运营管理等。人保财险相关负责人表示，公司迅速行动，配备 ...

Core Viewpoint - The entry of insurance capital into the gold market marks a significant development, with major companies like China Life and Ping An completing their first gold transactions, indicating a shift from planning to execution in gold investment strategies [3][4]. Group 1: Insurance Companies' Actions - China Life completed the first gold inquiry transaction by a domestic insurance institution at the Shanghai Gold Exchange on March 25 [3]. - Ping An Life executed the first Shanghai gold transaction by a domestic insurance institution on the same day [3]. - Other insurance companies also completed their first on-site bidding and bulk trading transactions [3]. Group 2: Investment Strategy and Benefits - China Life emphasized a long-term investment philosophy, focusing on the unique value of gold in optimizing portfolios, hedging risks, and resisting inflation, aiming to enhance the long-term risk-return ratio of its overall investment portfolio [4]. - Ping An Life highlighted the importance of this historical opportunity, planning to actively research gold investment strategies to optimize asset allocation and improve capital utilization efficiency [4]. - The entry of insurance capital into gold investment is expected to optimize asset allocation, enhance potential returns, promote the development of the RMB gold market, and improve RMB gold pricing functions [5]. Group 3: Regulatory Framework - In February, the National Financial Regulatory Administration announced a pilot program for insurance capital investment in gold, with ten insurance companies selected as the first pilot units [5]. - The scope of pilot investments includes various gold contracts and borrowing services at the Shanghai Gold Exchange [5]. - On March 24, the Shanghai Gold Exchange accepted several major insurance companies as members, facilitating their participation in the gold market [6].

Core Viewpoint - The recent approval of four insurance companies as members of the Shanghai Gold Exchange marks a significant entry of insurance funds into the gold market, driven by rising gold prices and the need for diversified asset allocation [1][2]. Group 1: Membership Approval - Four insurance companies, including China People's Property Insurance, China Life Insurance, Ping An Life Insurance, and China Pacific Life Insurance, have been approved as members of the Shanghai Gold Exchange [1]. - Membership allows these companies to engage in gold and precious metal trading, enhancing their investment capabilities [2]. Group 2: Regulatory Framework - The criteria for becoming a member of the Shanghai Gold Exchange include having a registered capital of at least 50 million RMB and maintaining profitability over the last three years [2]. - The initiative to allow insurance funds to invest in gold aims to broaden investment channels and optimize asset allocation within insurance companies [2]. Group 3: Investment Pilot Program - A pilot program initiated by the National Financial Regulatory Administration allows ten insurance companies to invest in gold, focusing on various gold trading contracts [2][3]. - The pilot program is expected to enhance the pricing power of Chinese capital markets in gold, similar to the purchasing behavior of central banks [3]. Group 4: Market Impact - Insurance funds are anticipated to become significant marginal price setters in the gold market, although their impact on global gold supply and demand is expected to be manageable [3][4]. - Projections suggest that the long-term gold holdings of Chinese insurance funds could reach between 208 to 555 tons, with a minimal impact on global demand [4].