Group 1 - Precious metals futures continued to decline, with spot silver dropping over 6%, marking the largest decline in six months, while spot gold briefly hit a historical high before plunging below $4200 per ounce [1] - As of the market close, spot gold was reported at $4251.45 per ounce, down 1.73%, and COMEX silver futures fell over 5%, closing at $50.63 per ounce [2][3] - NYMEX platinum futures saw a significant drop of over 7%, returning all gains from the previous two trading days, closing at $1629.80 per ounce [6] Group 2 - The sharp drop in gold prices was attributed to several factors, including a more moderate tone from U.S. President Trump regarding trade issues, which has cooled the market for precious metals [14] - Concerns about regional bank credit risks did not escalate, and the stabilization of the dollar index and U.S. stocks dampened safe-haven sentiment [14] - The relative strength index (RSI) for gold reached a peak of 88, indicating an overbought market condition [14] Group 3 - The volatility in gold prices has affected consumer behavior, with reports of delayed shipments and order cancellations from gold retailers due to fluctuating market prices [15][17] - Retailers are facing challenges as they either hold inventory at previous prices or source products post-order, leading to potential losses and order rejections [15][17] - The current environment remains supportive for gold due to expectations of interest rate cuts, geopolitical risks, and ongoing concerns in the banking sector [15]