Sou Hu Cai Jing·2026-02-02 17:00Core Viewpoint - The A-share market experienced a significant decline in the gold and non-ferrous metal sectors, with over 30 leading stocks hitting the daily limit down of -10% following a sharp drop in international gold prices [1][3][4]. Market Reaction - The gold concept sector saw 81 stocks, with notable declines including Xiaocheng Technology down 19.97% and Tongling Nonferrous Metals down 10.04% [2][3]. - The sell-off was characterized by a lack of buying interest, leading to a situation of "no volume limit down," indicating that investors were unable to sell their holdings, resulting in asset depreciation [3][4]. External Factors - The decline was triggered by a sudden drop in international gold prices, with London spot gold falling nearly 9% in a single day, marking the largest daily drop in years [3][4]. - The Federal Reserve's decision to maintain high interest rates and signals of prolonged high rates contributed to the bearish sentiment in the gold market, as higher rates increase the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets like gold [5][6]. Internal Market Dynamics - The gold sector had previously seen a significant increase of over 30% since the beginning of the year, attracting substantial short-term and leveraged funds, which led to an overbought condition [7][8]. - As the market sentiment shifted, a massive outflow of over 8.5 billion yuan from the gold sector occurred, leading to a panic sell-off [8][10]. Industry Challenges - Rising mining costs due to increased expenses for labor, energy, and equipment have raised concerns about profit margins for gold mining companies, despite high gold prices [10]. - The presence of "pseudo-gold stocks" in the sector, which lack solid fundamentals, has led to severe declines as funds exited these stocks when the market turned [10][11]. Broader Market Impact - The sharp decline in gold and silver prices negatively affected the overall commodity market and risk asset sentiment, with significant capital flows shifting towards defensive sectors and technology growth areas [12][21]. - The retail gold market also reflected this disparity, with physical gold prices remaining high while international prices plummeted, highlighting the disconnect between market prices and consumer prices [12][13]. Investor Sentiment - The market reaction has led to a divide among analysts, with some viewing the decline as a healthy correction while others express caution about the long-term trend and potential further declines in gold prices [21][22].