Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-12-30 11:40Core Insights - The global commodity market in 2025 is characterized by a stark contrast, with precious metals like gold and silver experiencing significant price increases, while international oil prices are under pressure due to oversupply and weak demand [2][19]. Precious Metals - The precious metals sector has seen a comprehensive surge, with silver outperforming gold and becoming the "star commodity" of the year, driven by a combination of safe-haven demand, loose monetary policy, supply-demand imbalances, and speculative sentiment [3][7]. - Gold prices rose from $2,624.50 per ounce at the beginning of the year to $4,387.06, marking a 67.16% increase [4]. - Silver prices surged from $28.91 per ounce to $75.63, achieving a remarkable 161.60% increase [5]. Demand Factors - Geopolitical risks have bolstered safe-haven demand for precious metals, with ongoing U.S. sanctions on Venezuelan oil supplies and rising uncertainty prompting global investors to increase their holdings in gold and silver [7]. - The escalating global debt situation has enhanced the value of hard currencies, with significant capital outflows from the bond market into precious metals due to rising long-term interest rate expectations [7]. - The Federal Reserve's shift towards looser monetary policy in 2025, including interest rate cuts and quantitative easing, has reduced the opportunity cost of holding precious metals, directly driving up their prices [7]. Supply Factors - The silver market is experiencing significant supply constraints, with a lack of physical reserves compared to gold, making it more susceptible to price volatility during demand surges [9]. - Global silver production is limited due to declining ore grades and insufficient new project developments, compounded by regulatory and environmental restrictions in major silver-producing countries [10]. Short-term Impacts - Early 2025 saw speculation about potential tariffs on silver, leading to a preemptive accumulation of silver in warehouses, which exacerbated inventory shortages when demand surged in October [13]. - Speculative activities have intensified price volatility in the silver market, with a lower trading volume making it more susceptible to sharp price movements [13]. Copper Market - Copper prices have also seen significant increases, with London copper prices rising over 40% in 2025, driven by policy expectations, supply uncertainties, and structural demand growth [16][18]. - The U.S. government's tariff signals on copper have created arbitrage opportunities, leading to a shift in inventory dynamics and regional supply-demand imbalances [18]. Oil Market - In contrast to the strong performance of precious metals and copper, international oil prices have been in a downward trend, with Brent crude falling from $74.48 per barrel to around $61.47, a decline of 17.47% due to oversupply and weak demand [19]. - OPEC+'s shift towards increased production has contributed to the oversupply, while weak demand from major economies has limited any potential price recovery [19]. Stock Market Impact - The divergence in commodity prices has directly influenced stock market performance, with metal mining stocks benefiting from rising gold, silver, and copper prices, while oil stocks have faced pressure due to declining oil prices [21].