Ray Jia
Ray joined the World Gold Council in early 2019, and works within the Research team as the Senior Analyst, China. He previous held position with China Industrial Futures Ltd, focusing on the market analysis for major commodities classes and international macros for both individual and institutional investors.
Ray has a Bachelor’s degree in Corporate Finance from the Adelaide University in Australia, and a Master degree of Investment from Pace University in US.
Ray Jia
Research Head, China World Gold CouncilCOVID, precautionary savings and gold in China
The resurgence of COVID-19 and the subsequent lockdowns in major Chinese cities since late February have made headlines. These lockdowns are leading to households spending less – especially for discretionary items – as well as saving more due to limited spending opportunities and cautious behaviour.
Ray Jia
Research Head, China World Gold CouncilChina’s gold market in March: the COVID-19 resurgence weighed on local demand
Gold prices extended their strength last month. The SHAUPM in RMB and the LBMA Gold Price AM in USD rose further in March, ending Q1 with a 5.2% and 5.7% gain respectively, the largest since Q2 2020.
Ray Jia
Research Head, China World Gold CouncilChina’s gold market in February: wholesale physical gold demand seasonally lower
Due to fewer working days in the month and manufacturers’ active replenishing ahead of the Chinese New Year (CNY) holiday, gold withdrawals from the Shanghai Gold Exchange (SGE) in February fell m-o-m.
Ray Jia
Research Head, China World Gold CouncilGold: a vital asset to Chinese investors in 2022
The local stock market remained volatile after the Chinese New Year (CNY) holiday. External uncertainties such as global equity market volatility amid central banks’ tightening expectations in main regions and adjustment in key sectors, among other factors, might be main contributors.
Ray Jia
Research Head, China World Gold CouncilChina’s gold market in January: gold consumption boomed during the holiday season
China’s gold consumption boomed during the CNY holiday. A lower local gold price and freed-up travel budgets – due to COVID outbreaks in different regions – might have spurred consumer interest in gold products, especially Heritage gold jewellery and tiger-themed items.
Ray Jia
Research Head, China World Gold CouncilChina’s easing monetary policy paints a positive picture for 2022’s retail gold investment demand
The Chinese central bank has intensified its easing monetary policy efforts to accommodate the nation’s slowing economic growth.
Ray Jia
Research Head, China World Gold CouncilChina’s gold market in November: wholesale gold demand up, ETF holdings down
The Shanghai-London gold price spread fell amid a weaker local gold price
The LBMA Gold Price PM finished November slightly higher as declines towards the end of the month wiped off earlier rallies. While the LBMA Gold Price AM in USD – which we normally use when comparing to the Chinese local gold price ‒ increased by 0.1%, the SHAUPM in CNY saw a minor drop of 0.3%. The appreciating CNY against the dollar and a steadily rising equity market may have contributed to the underperformance of the RMB gold price.
Ray Jia
Research Head, China World Gold CouncilChina’s gold market in October: Chinese gold ETF tonnage holdings set a new record
After five consecutive monthly inflows, collective holdings in Chinese gold ETFs reached 74t (US$4bn, RMB27bn) at the end of October, the highest AUM on record in tonnage terms. We cover this and more in our monthly blog on China's gold market.
Ray Jia
Research Head, China World Gold CouncilChina’s gold market in September: higher gold demand, higher local gold price spread
Gold prices fell in September. The LBMA Gold Price AM in USD and the Shanghai Gold Benchmark Price (PM) in CNY declined by 4.6% and 4.3% respectively last month. The rising interest rate, outflows from global gold ETFs, and a stronger dollar all contributed to gold price weaknesses in September.
Ray Jia
Research Head, China World Gold CouncilGold’s strategic role could shine as Chinese economic pressure intensifies
China’s economy is facing challenges. Gold, with its unique relationship with the Chinese stock market and the independence from China’s economy, could be an effective tool for investors.
Ray Jia
Research Head, China World Gold CouncilChina’s gold market in August: inflows into gold ETFs continued and wholesale physical gold demand rebounded
Explore China's gold market in August. We cover the Shanghai Gold Benchmark Price PM, wholesale physical gold demand, gold ETF inflows, impacts of the rise in COVID-19 cases and more.
Ray Jia
Research Head, China World Gold CouncilThe three-child policy and its implications for China’s gold consumption
While the possible outcomes of the three-child policy and various supporting measures remain uncertain, we believe there is a link between birth rates and gold consumption, and the details are worth analysing.
Ray Jia
Research Head, China World Gold CouncilChina’s gold market in June: Chinese gold ETF holdings rose despite a fall in the gold price
International gold prices fell steeply in June. The weakness in the gold price can be largely attributed to the more-hawkish-than-expected monetary-tightening signals from the US Federal Reserve’s meeting on 18 June. But the decline in the RMB gold price was narrower than that of the USD gold price, thanks to a 1.6% depreciation in the CNY against the dollar last month.