A recent report released on February 2nd by the Ernst & Young Statistical Club predicts that the UK economy will grow modestly by 0.9% in 2026 due to global economic uncertainty. Ernst & Young attributes the slowdown in UK growth to both domestic and international factors. Domestically, increased taxes have dampened investment. Ernst & Young forecasts that UK business investment may contract by 0.2% in 2026, compared to growth of 0.8% last year.

On February 3, the central parity rate of the RMB against the US dollar in the interbank foreign exchange market was as follows (1/2): The Swiss Franc was quoted at 8.9381 against the RMB, down 718.00 points; the US Dollar was quoted at 6.9608 against the RMB, down 87.00 points; the Euro was quoted at 8.2174 against the RMB, down 477.00 points; 100 Japanese Yen was quoted at 4.4797 against the RMB, down 129.00 points; the Hong Kong Dollar was quoted at 0.8912 against the RMB, down 13.20 points; the British Pound was quoted at 9.5192 against the RMB, down 193.00 points; the Australian Dollar was quoted at 4.8441 against the RMB, up 11.00 points; the New Zealand Dollar was quoted at 4.1856 against the RMB, down 60.00 points; the Singapore Dollar was quoted at 5.4765 against the RMB, up 6.00 points. The Canadian dollar was quoted at 5.0920 against the Chinese yuan, down 178.00 points; the yuan was quoted at 0.5672 against the Malaysian ringgit, up 16.10 points; and the yuan was quoted at 11.0073 against the Russian ruble, up 836.00 points.

On February 3, the central parity rate of the RMB in the interbank foreign exchange market was as follows (2/2): The RMB/South African Rand rate was 2.3073, down 154.00 points; the RMB/Korean Won rate was 208.5100, up 47.00 points; the RMB/UAE Dirham rate was 0.5274, up 5.90 points; the RMB/Saudi Riyal rate was 0.5386, up 5.10 points; the RMB/Hungarian Forint rate was 46.3442, up 2640.99 points; the RMB/Polish Złoty rate was 0.5136, up 39.40 points; the RMB/Danish Krone rate was 0.9089, up 54.00 points; the RMB/Swedish Krone rate was 1.2871, up 87.00 points; and the RMB/Norwegian Krone rate was 1.3921, up 85.00 points. The yuan was quoted at 6.2415 against the Turkish lira, up 35.20 points; the yuan was quoted at 2.4962 against the Mexican peso, down 95.00 points; and the yuan was quoted at 4.5332 against the Thai baht, up 72.00 points.

The central parity rate of the US dollar against the Chinese yuan was quoted at 6.9608 today, down 87.00 points from 6.9695 in the previous trading day; the onshore yuan closed at 6.9444 yesterday, and the offshore yuan closed at 6.9410 yesterday.

Spot gold rose 4.00% on the day, closing at $4,843.69 per ounce; COMEX gold futures were last quoted at $4,865.60 per ounce, up 4.58% on the day.

Spot gold has just broken through the $4,840.00/ounce mark, and is currently trading at $4,840.74/ounce, up 3.94% on the day; COMEX gold futures are currently trading at $4,863.70/ounce, up 4.54% on the day.