Group 1 - The overall macroeconomic environment last week was neutral to slightly positive, with Trump initially pressuring Powell and rumors of his potential dismissal, which led to a temporary rebound in copper prices before being denied by Trump [1][3] - Inflation data met expectations, reflecting the impact of tariffs on inflation, which caused the market to reduce expectations for interest rate cuts later this year, putting pressure on prices [1][3] - Gold prices showed a strong performance, supported by market resilience and expectations of potential interest rate cuts, despite ongoing tariff risks [4][50] Group 2 - Last week, COMEX gold fell by 0.44% and silver by 1.66%, while SHFE gold and silver rose by 0.45% and 2.58% respectively [2] - The copper market saw a slight rebound, with SHFE copper prices returning above 79,000 yuan/ton, driven by positive sentiment from urban renewal meetings and expectations of further measures against "involution" [6][49] - The copper concentrate TC weekly index was -43.20 USD/ton, showing a slight increase, with the market remaining relatively stable [8] Group 3 - The COMEX copper price curve shifted upward, maintaining a contango structure, while COMEX copper inventories exceeded 240,000 tons, indicating potential for further accumulation [6] - The domestic market for electrolytic copper saw a slight increase in inventory, with total stocks at 144,400 tons, reflecting limited demand from downstream processing enterprises [14] - The processing fees for 8mm refined copper rods increased, particularly in East China, although overall demand remains limited due to seasonal factors [16] Group 4 - The gold and silver prices fluctuated at high levels, with COMEX gold trading between 3,314 and 3,389 USD/oz, and silver between 37.6 and 39.6 USD/oz [19] - COMEX gold inventory increased by approximately 445,000 ounces to 37.19 million ounces, while silver inventory rose by about 232,000 ounces to 49.724 million ounces [35] - The SPDR gold ETF holdings decreased by 4 tons to 944 tons, while SLV silver ETF holdings fell by 100 tons to 14,658 tons, indicating a shift in market sentiment [40]

Core Viewpoints - The article highlights a significant increase in copper prices due to Trump's unexpected announcement of a 50% tariff on imported electrolytic copper, effective from August 1, which exceeded market expectations [3][5][6] - Precious metals, particularly gold and silver, experienced a strong performance, with COMEX gold rising by 0.71% and silver by 5.22% [2][4] Copper Market Analysis - The announcement of the 50% tariff on imported electrolytic copper has led to a substantial rise in COMEX copper prices, with a maximum increase of over 15% during the week [5][6] - As of now, the U.S. has imported over 700,000 tons of electrolytic copper, with expectations to reach 900,000 tons by the time the tariff is implemented, matching last year's total imports [3][7] - The market anticipates that the tariff will redirect copper shipments to Asia or China, potentially increasing pressure on China's electrolytic copper inventory [7][8] - The SHFE copper price has faced downward pressure, testing the support level of 78,000 yuan/ton, while the market expects a significant increase in copper imports to China [7][8] Precious Metals Market Review - The precious metals market saw high volatility, with COMEX gold and silver trading within specific ranges, driven by increased macroeconomic uncertainty and expectations of interest rate cuts [4][23] - Silver prices surged due to tight supply-demand dynamics, reaching levels not seen since 2011, influenced by potential short squeeze risks [4][23] - The article notes that the gold-silver ratio has been declining, indicating stronger performance of silver relative to gold [25] Inventory and Positioning - COMEX gold inventory decreased by approximately 39,000 ounces, while silver inventory fell by about 436 million ounces [40] - The positioning data shows that non-commercial long positions in gold increased, while short positions also rose, indicating a mixed sentiment in the market [45]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the widespread panic in global financial markets due to "reciprocal tariffs," leading to a significant sell-off across various asset classes, with no clear winners in the market [1]. Market Performance - U.S. stock indices, crude oil futures, cryptocurrencies, and precious metals experienced severe declines, with the Nasdaq futures dropping over 5% and the S&P 500 futures down more than 4% [2]. - Crude oil futures fell by 10% last week and continued to decline, with WTI crude oil futures dropping below $60 per barrel for the first time since April 2021 [3]. - Spot gold and silver also saw declines, with gold down nearly 1.7% and silver dropping 3% in early trading [5]. Cryptocurrency Market - COMEX copper futures fell over 8%, while major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum dropped more than 6% and 12%, respectively, leading to over 28,000 liquidations totaling $852 million in the past 24 hours [8][10]. Investor Sentiment - The VIX index surged by 40% on April 3 and then by 50% on April 4, reaching its highest level since April 2020, indicating extreme fear in the market [13]. - The S&P 500 index fell by 5.97%, marking its largest single-day drop since March 2020, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average also entered a correction phase [15]. Economic Implications - The article highlights concerns that rising tariffs will increase supply chain costs and weaken profitability, particularly for tech-heavy indices like the Nasdaq [17]. - Investors are selling off assets, including gold, to cover losses in other areas, reflecting a broader trend of panic selling similar to the sell-off during the COVID-19 pandemic [19]. Federal Reserve's Stance - The Federal Reserve's Chairman Jerome Powell indicated that the Fed would not rush to respond to the tariffs or market volatility, suggesting a cautious approach to monetary policy adjustments [24]. - Powell's comments have led to a shift in market expectations regarding interest rate cuts, with projections for four 25 basis point cuts being pushed from October to December [26]. Future Outlook - Some analysts are exploring potential "buying opportunities" in the aftermath of the market crash, while others express skepticism about the sustainability of a bull market given the ongoing trade tensions [28][29]. - The risk of economic recession is increasing, with predictions of a 60% chance of recession in the U.S. if the tariff policies persist [31].