Financial giants simultaneously raise gold price forecasts
In a report released on Thursday, Citi Research (market research and economic analysis department of Citigroup, one of the world's largest financial groups headquartered in the US) said it had raised the gold price target for the next 3 months from 3,200 USD/ounce to 3,500 USD/ounce.
The reason for the adjustment is due to strong demand for gold from Chinese insurance companies and tax risks and weak market cash flow.
According to Citi, China's recent decision allows 10 insurance companies to allocate up to 1% of total assets to gold that can create demand of about 255 tons per year, equivalent to about 1/4 of the total gold purchases by global central banks.
Gold prices fell more than 1% in the session on Thursday after reaching a record peak of $3,357.4/ounce at the beginning of the session, as investors took profits before a long holiday.
However, a weak US dollar and escalating US-China trade tensions still keep gold prices above $3,300/ounce. See more...
BSC wants to increase capital to nearly VND2,500 billion, ready to welcome the upgrading wave
On April 18, 2025, BIDV Securities Joint Stock Company (BSC, code BSI) held an annual general meeting of shareholders in 2025, the meeting approved a business plan with a pre-tax profit target of VND 560 billion, an increase of 9% compared to the results in 2024. The company also plans to issue more than 22.3 million shares to pay dividends, thereby increasing its charter capital to nearly VND 2,500 billion.
In 2024, BSC recorded pre-tax profit of VND 515.68 billion, mainly from brokerage activities, collateral lending and self-investment. The return on equity (ROE) rate reached 8.5%/year. Total assets as of the end of the year reached VND 10,315 billion, up 24% compared to the end of 2023.
The customer platform continues to expand, with nearly 19,000 newly opened accounts, accounting for 2.34% of the stock brokerage market share in the whole market. BSC's available capital safety ratio reached 680%, in the good group according to the State Securities Commission. See more...
Enterprises proactively diversify the market
Rental prices of retail real estate in the center of Hanoi increase sharply
According to new data published by Savills Vietnam in the first quarter of 2025, in Hanoi, total retail supply decreased by 3% quarter-on-quarter and 2% year-on-year because Vincom Center Nguyen Chi Thanh was no longer a commercial center.
The rental price of the ground floor increased by 2% quarterly and 6% annually, mainly thanks to the increase in the department store with 14% per year; shopping malls and retail businesses both recorded a 7% annual price increase.
Notably, in the central area, rental prices recorded a strong increase of 37% year-on-year, reaching 4.5 million VND/m2/month. The capacity increased by 2 percentage points quarter-on-quarter, reaching 86%. Notably, new lease contracts have shifted away from the previously dominating F&B industry to convenience and fashion and cosmetics stores. See more...
