产业革命推升需求，国际资本追寻避险，贵金属价格上演“岁末过山车”

Group 1: Precious Metals Market Overview - By the end of 2025, the global precious metals market experienced a significant downturn after months of rapid price increases, with gold and silver prices dropping sharply from their yearly peaks [1] - On December 29, silver prices fell by 9% to just below $72 per ounce, while international gold prices decreased by over 4% [1] - Analysts suggest that fluctuations in global precious metal prices may stabilize in the coming year due to changes in global demand, geopolitical tensions, and adjustments in monetary policy [1] Group 2: Silver Price Surge Analysis - Silver prices surged dramatically in December 2025, reaching nearly $80 per ounce, nearly doubling from the previous year, significantly outpacing gold's over 70% increase during the same period [3] - Factors contributing to the silver price increase include historically low silver inventories, limited market supply, and rising industrial demand, particularly in sectors like electric vehicles and solar energy [3][4] - Major buyers from markets like China and India have kept prices for silver jewelry, investment bars, and coins robust [3] Group 3: Industrial Demand for Silver - The recent spike in silver prices is supported by demand from global jewelers, medical device manufacturers, electric vehicle producers, and solar panel factories, with the solar industry consuming nearly 30% of annual silver production [4] - Despite reduced support for solar energy in the U.S., European countries and China continue to expand solar installations, driving silver consumption [4] Group 4: Copper Market Dynamics - As of December 29, copper futures prices rose by approximately 2%, with three-month copper prices briefly exceeding $12,400 per ton, indicating a potential record high for the year [5] - The copper market is experiencing its largest annual price increase in over a decade, driven by demand from clean energy transitions, electric vehicle proliferation, and data center construction [6] - Supply constraints due to aging copper mines and production declines, alongside increased imports into the U.S. ahead of potential tariffs, have contributed to the price surge [6] Group 5: Market Sentiment and Future Outlook - Following significant price increases, many investors are taking profits, contributing to recent market volatility [7] - Analysts predict that precious metals will not experience similar price fluctuations in 2026, as geopolitical tensions have begun to ease [7] - Major banks forecast gold prices to stabilize between $4,500 and $4,700 per ounce in 2026, driven by ongoing economic policies [7]