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].

在经历了年底强劲反弹后，黄金与白银市场周一遭遇剧烈抛售。由于年末市场流动性稀薄加剧了价格波动，交易员大举获利了结，导致贵金属价 格全线跳水，终结了近期的单边上涨行情。 现货黄金盘中一度下跌5%，创下自10月21日以来的最大单日跌幅，也是今年第二次出现如此幅度的单日暴跌。 白银的跌势更为惨烈，盘中跌幅一度达到11%，创下自2020年9月以来最大的单日跌幅。 两种金属均从刚创下的历史高位大幅回撤，显示出此前迅猛的涨势已引发市场对行情过热的担忧。 投机氛围消退与保证金上调 白银价格的逆转发生在其飙升至每盎司84美元上方数小时之后。此前，来自中国的强劲投资需求一度推高了银价，导致上海现货白银较伦敦价格 的溢价升至每盎司8美元以上，创下历史最大价差纪录。 据彭博援引China Futures Ltd.分析师Wang Yanqing表示："投机氛围非常浓厚。市场围绕现货供应紧张进行炒作，目前的情况有点极端。" 为遏制风险，交易所已开始采取行动。据CME Group Inc.声明，部分Comex白银期货合约的保证金将从周一上调。当交易所提高保证金要求时， 交易员必须投入更多现金来维持头寸，资金不足的投机者被迫减仓或平仓。W ...