[World Gold Council: Gold Investment Expected to Enter a Critical Phase in the Second Half of the Year] According to a report by Jinse Finance, on July 1, the London-based World Gold Council released its '2026 Global Gold Market Mid-Year Outlook' report. This semi-annual report predicts that, after experiencing wide fluctuations since the beginning of the year, gold investment will enter a critical phase in the second half of the year. Gold price performance will be influenced by multiple uncertainties, including geopolitical factors, the interest rate environment, and investor sentiment. In late January this year, gold prices broke historical records more than 12 times, with London spot gold prices reaching an all-time high of $5,405 per ounce. However, prices significantly retreated in June, with gold prices down approximately 7% year-to-date, and average volatility rising to 30%. Despite this correction, gold remains one of the best-performing assets over the past 12 months. Some institutions predict that gold prices may trade around $4,100 per ounce for the remainder of the year, with a fluctuation range of approximately ±5%. If geopolitical or economic conditions deteriorate, or if interest rate expectations shift, gold could regain upward momentum. Based on historical performance, if gold prices drop more than 10% from current levels, it could trigger 'buy-the-dip' demand from long-term investors in multiple regions.