CHINA MAKES ITS BIGGEST GOLD PURCHASE OF THE YEAR

China's central bank held 77.47 million troy ounces of gold at the end of September, up from 76.73 million in August, according to official reserve data. The increase of 740,000 ounces, about 23 metric tons, is the largest monthly addition of 2026, and the pace has picked up every month this year. China has added about 102 tons since January. The value of its gold reserves still fell to $323.5 billion from $350.1 billion as gold prices dropped.