World Gold Council: In February, global central banks net purchased 19 tons, with some central banks maintaining continuous net buying records.

ME News update, April 4 (UTC+8). The World Gold Council this week released the February central bank gold-buying monthly report. In February 2026, central banks around the world net bought 19 tons of gold, even though this is still below the monthly average of 26 tons reported for 2025. Compared with the net purchase amount of 5 tons in January 2026, it showed an uptick. The World Gold Council said that February’s figures appear to indicate that after a quiet January, central bank gold buying rebounded, highlighting central banks’ recognition and persistence in gold as a reserve asset. In addition, the report shows that some central banks have maintained records of continuous net purchases of gold: from November 2024 to February 2026, cumulative gold purchases totaled 44 tons, and the Czech Republic reported its 36th consecutive month of net buying. China has increased its gold holdings for the 16th consecutive month. Goldman Sachs’ research report at the end of March said that supported by central banks’ ongoing gold buying and the Federal Reserve’s expected two more rate cuts this year, the medium-term outlook for gold remains solid, with gold prices expected to rise to $5,400 per ounce by year-end. UBS, meanwhile, at the end of March forecast that its target price for gold in early 2027 would be $5,900 per ounce. (Source: ODAILY)