Mei Ri Jing Ji Xin Wen·2026-02-02 14:13Core Viewpoint - The recent sharp decline in international gold and silver prices has raised concerns about a potential bubble in the precious metals market, driven by speculative buying and changes in monetary policy expectations following the nomination of Kevin Warsh as the next Federal Reserve Chair [4][20]. Price Movements - On February 2, international spot gold prices fell by 10% to $4,402 per ounce, marking a new low since January 8, with a three-day decline exceeding 20% and a drop of over $1,000 from the January 29 peak [1][4]. - International spot silver prices dropped over 16% to $71.31 per ounce, with a three-day decline reaching 40%, nearly erasing January's gains [1][4]. Market Reactions - The significant price drop on January 30 was attributed to a sudden reassessment of the dollar and dollar-denominated assets, leading to the largest single-day decline in gold prices since the early 1980s, with a total market value loss of $7.4 trillion [4][7]. - Retail interest in gold surged, with reports of long queues at gold shops for selling and buying, indicating a strong consumer response to the price fluctuations [9][10]. Institutional Insights - Analysts have warned of a "gold bubble," suggesting that recent price movements were largely driven by retail investors, similar to previous market bubbles [7]. - Major banks, including China Merchants Bank and Postal Savings Bank, have issued risk warnings regarding the volatility in precious metal prices, adjusting margin requirements for gold and silver trading [12][13][14]. Future Outlook - Industry experts predict continued volatility in gold prices, advising investors to wait for stabilization before making significant purchases, while maintaining a long-term bullish outlook on gold due to underlying economic factors [19][20].