新年行情告终？投资者“获利了结”，金银重挫

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the significant decline in gold and silver prices, with gold dropping 5% and silver plummeting 11%, marking the largest single-day declines since September 2020. This downturn follows a period of strong seasonal performance for precious metals, typically characterized by gains of approximately 4% for gold and nearly 7% for silver during the year-end period. The recent price corrections are attributed to profit-taking by investors and a lack of market liquidity [1][3][6]. Group 1: Market Performance - Gold experienced a maximum intraday drop of 5%, the largest single-day decline since October 21, and this marks the second occurrence of such a significant drop this year [4]. - Silver's decline was even more severe, with an intraday drop of 11%, the largest single-day decline since September 2020 [5]. - Both metals have retreated significantly from their recent historical highs, raising concerns about an overheated market [6]. Group 2: Investor Behavior and Market Dynamics - Following a strong year-end rebound, the gold and silver markets faced severe sell-offs due to thin market liquidity, leading traders to take profits and ending a recent upward trend [3]. - Michael Haigh from Societe Generale noted that the year-end period typically sees extreme liquidity shortages, which can exacerbate price volatility. He emphasized that the recent declines were primarily driven by profit-taking after a strong seasonal rebound [7]. - Technical indicators, such as the 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI), indicated that gold had been in an overbought territory, suggesting a potential correction was imminent. Silver's situation was more extreme, with a rise of over 25% since mid-December, pushing its RSI well above 70, indicating excessive buying pressure [7]. Group 3: Speculation and Margin Adjustments - The reversal in silver prices occurred shortly after they surged above $84 per ounce, driven by strong investment demand from China, which led to a record premium of over $8 per ounce for Shanghai spot silver compared to London prices [8]. - Analysts highlighted a highly speculative atmosphere in the market, with current conditions being described as extreme due to tight spot supply [9]. - To mitigate risks, exchanges have begun to take action, with CME Group announcing an increase in margin requirements for certain Comex silver futures contracts. This move requires traders to deposit more cash to maintain their positions, potentially forcing undercapitalized speculators to reduce or close their positions [12]. Group 4: Market Pressures and Inventory Status - The recent volatility in silver prices has drawn attention to the severely pressured spot market, with the latest rebound occurring just two months after a comprehensive short squeeze in the London silver market [14]. - Despite significant inflows into London vaults since then, most available silver remains in New York, as traders await the results of a U.S. investigation that could lead to tariffs or other trade restrictions [14].