Precious metals and real estate markets show significant shifts

Global precious metals markets are experiencing significant volatility driven by shifts in U.S. monetary policy expectations. Gold prices have surged toward the $4,500 level following weak U.S. ADP employment data and dovish remarks from Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller, who suggested support for holding interest rates steady if inflation continues to cool.

In the platinum market, prices have surpassed $1,800 per ounce, bolstered by a weakening dollar and rising industrial demand, particularly within China’s expanding hydrogen truck sector.

Concurrently, regional economic trends show divergence. In Japan, the real estate market is seeing a slowdown in the pace of price increases for second-hand apartments in Tokyo’s 23 wards, with central districts experiencing price adjustments due to high costs. However, domestic real estate transaction volumes in Japan reached a record high for the first half of the year, driven by strong investment sentiment and rising rents. In China, gold consumption patterns are shifting; while demand for gold jewelry has declined, investment in gold bars and coins has seen substantial growth as consumers pivot toward gold as a savings tool.