π° Hourly Briefing | 2026-08-07 13:00 CST
AI server shipments for 2026 revised up to nearly 31% growth; top 9 CSPs' capex up ~90% YoY. CATL's Yichun lithium mine confirmed under maintenance shutdown; domestic gold jewelry prices cut ~11 yuan/gram. Saudi crude exports to US dropped to zero in July for the first time since 1985. Goldman Sachs questions threats to dollar dominance, says yen intervention impact limited.
π Market Snapshot
- π₯ Gold XAUUSD: 4265.13 (-0.58%), intraday range 4229-4269
- π’οΈ WTI Crude USOIL: 77.42 (-0.06%), intraday range 76.87-77.87
π₯ Key News This Hour
1. AI Server Demand Surge: 2026 Shipment Growth Revised Up to Nearly 31% TrendForce’s latest research shows that under surging AI infrastructure demand, the combined capex of the world’s top 9 cloud service providers (CSPs) is estimated to grow ~90% YoY in 2026. AI server shipment growth has been revised up to nearly 31%.
2. CATL’s Yichun Lithium Mine Confirmed Under Maintenance Shutdown Yifeng County Ecology and Environment Bureau officially responded: during on-site inspection, the facility was under maintenance shutdown with no ore loading, transport, or crushing operations. The company has been urged to complete relevant procedures promptly.
3. Saudi Crude Exports to US Drop to Zero in July, Rebound Expected in August Saudi crude exports to the US fell to zero in July β the first zero-month since 1985. US refiners turned to Venezuela as an emergency alternative. However, US Middle East crude imports are expected to rebound in August.
4. Goldman Sachs Questions Threats to Dollar Dominance Goldman Sachs believes that US support for Japan’s yen-stabilizing measures is unlikely to undermine the dollar’s status as the world’s primary reserve currency. Japan is the largest foreign investor in the $31 trillion US Treasury market.
5. Beijing Yizhuang Releases Token Economy Policy Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area released a token economy policy, distributing 100 million yuan annually in model and token vouchers, with increased support for inference-specific chip R&D.
6. Hong Kong Stocks Edge Up at Midday Hang Seng Index rose 0.15%, Hang Seng Tech Index rose 0.34%, with half-day turnover reaching 141.185 billion HKD. PCB, commercial aerospace, pharma outsourcing, and storage concept sectors were active.
7. Domestic Gold Jewelry Prices Cut by ~11 Yuan/Gram Multiple brands’ pure gold jewelry prices fell about 11 yuan/gram from yesterday, with most brands quoting 1281-1286 yuan/gram.
π§ Market Assessment
Gold pulled back 0.58% from highs to $4,265, but remains in a narrow 4229-4269 intraday range with bulls failing to break the session high.
Domestic gold jewelry prices tracked the gold pullback with an 11 yuan/gram cut, showing consistent spot-market follow-through.
AI server capex growth is remarkable β top 9 CSPs’ combined capex up nearly 90% YoY β signaling sustained industry chain prosperity and favoring computing infrastructure-related names.
CATL’s lithium mine maintenance shutdown may tighten near-term lithium ore supply, providing some price support; watch for restart timeline.
Saudi zero exports to the US is a historic milestone, but the expected August rebound suggests a temporary logistical disruption rather than a structural shift.
Goldman Sachs maintains its dollar dominance outlook, and market concerns about yen intervention undermining the dollar have eased.
β° Upcoming Key Data
Friday session β no major US economic data releases on the calendar. Watch for next week’s US CPI and PPI inflation data.