News

```htmlGolden Ten Data reported on July 1st that JuanCarlosArtigas, Americas CEO and Global Head of Research at the World Gold Council, stated that the gold market has delivered a clear message this year: gold is truly a global asset. Gold prices reflect macroeconomic and geopolitical dynamics on a worldwide scale, not just limited to the United States, which is one of the reasons why gold offers investors a valuable perspective. Interest rates are certainly important, and we expect them to become one of the key variables in the second half of the year, but gold's performance is not driven by a single factor. This year, gold prices faced pressure around $4,000/ounce, but also rebounded at times, mainly supported by endogenous demand from long-term investors in multiple regions. Structural demand from global central banks, institutional investors, and consumers forms the foundation for gold’s resilience.```

On July 1, the World Gold Council held a mid-year outlook report release conference for the global gold market. Most of the fluctuations in gold prices occur during Asian and U.S. trading hours, reflecting the increasingly important role of Asian investors in global gold price discovery.

On July 1, National Grid Plc, a power network company listed in London, has a substantial electricity and gas business in the northeastern United States. To seize opportunities arising from the booming data center industry in the US, the company is taking significant steps by acquiring a stake in a firm developing power generation facilities for Microsoft (MSFT.US). This utility company will invest $1.75 billion to acquire a 35% stake in Joulent LLC. Joulent LLC is collaborating with oil giant Chevron (CVX.US) to develop a natural gas power plant for Microsoft in Texas. Energy companies are widely seeking investment opportunities in the artificial intelligence sector through data center power projects. This deal values the private company Joulent at $5 billion and will expand National Grid's business footprint from the northeastern US to one of the hottest electricity markets in the country.