The central bank is accelerating its gold purchases! It has increased its holdings for the 19th consecutive month, adding 320,000 troy ounces in May compared to April.
China's gold reserves stood at 74.96 million troy ounces (approximately 2,331.52 metric tons) as of the end of May, an increase of 3.2 million troy ounces (approximately 9.95 metric tons) from April's 74.64 million troy ounces (approximately 2,321.56 metric tons), marking the 19th consecutive month of gold accumulation.
After strong nonfarm payroll data, Goldman Sachs 'surrenders': no longer expects the Fed to cut rates this year
Goldman Sachs believes that a triple push from tariffs, high oil prices, and AI-related demand will keep core PCE inflation above 3% in 2026. Given the Federal Reserve’s lack of urgency to cut rates, Goldman Sachs has abandoned its expectation for rate cuts this year, pushing the final two rate cuts to June and December 2027. It also raised the probability of a rate hike from 10% to 20% and considers 'holding rates steady' a reasonable alternative.
U.S. forces struck Iranian targets, prompting air defense alerts in Bahrain and Kuwait; Trump insisted he would soon 'disengage' from the conflict with Iran.
Tensions in the U.S.-Iran conflict continue to escalate, with Bahrain and Kuwait successively issuing nationwide air defense alerts. U.S. forces shot down four Iranian drones and conducted airstrikes on Iranian coastal radar installations, prompting Iran to retaliate with missile strikes targeting U.S. military bases in Kuwait and Bahrain.
Gold erased all gains for 2026, silver plunged 8.5% in a single day, and strong U.S. employment data boosted expectations of rate hikes.
Markets have fully priced in a Federal Reserve rate hike by December, with the probability of a hike in October rising to 60%. Analysts note that gold faces dual headwinds from rising real yields and a stronger U.S. dollar; sharp declines in U.S. equities prompted some investors to reduce gold holdings to cover losses in other assets, exacerbating selling pressure. Gold prices fell as much as 3.6% on Friday.
Express News | Spot gold has erased all gains made so far this year.
Full Text of the U.S. May Nonfarm Payrolls Report: Employment Growth Driven by Food Services, Healthcare, and Local Government
U.S. nonfarm payrolls rose by 172,000 in May, significantly exceeding expectations, with prior two-month data revised upward by a combined 93,000. The unemployment rate held steady at 4.3%. Job gains were driven by the food services, healthcare, and local government sectors. Below is the full nonfarm payroll employment report.