Market Performance: The HSI rose 1.5% to 26,945, with significant gains in the HSCEI and HSTECH, while total half-day turnover reached $136.256 billion.

Insurance Sector Gains: Chinese insurers like CHINA LIFE and PING AN saw increases of 4.5% and 4.1%, respectively, following PING AN's stake increase in CHINA LIFE.

Financial Stocks Surge: Major financial stocks including HSBC and HKEX experienced gains between 2.6% and 3.0%, contributing to a positive market sentiment.

Consumer Stocks Rally: Companies like POP MART and CTG DUTY-FREE reported substantial increases, with POP MART noted for its potential upside based on investor positions and upcoming product designs.

Gold and Silver Prices Decline: Gold prices fell significantly, with spot gold dropping to USD4,532.29, down 7.24%, while silver also decreased to USD75.97, down 11.1%, as institutional investors expressed caution about the short-term trends in precious metals.

Futures Market Movement: Gold futures for February delivery decreased by 3.6% to USD4,545, and silver futures for March delivery fell by 1.9% to USD77.03, indicating a continued downward trend in the market.

Impact on Hong Kong-listed Gold Miners: Hong Kong-listed gold mining companies experienced substantial losses, with ZIJIN MINING down 7.02%, ZIJIN GOLD INTL down 8.33%, and SD GOLD down 12.29%, reflecting the broader decline in precious metal prices.

Short Selling Activity: There was notable short selling activity among gold mining stocks, with significant amounts reported for various companies, indicating a bearish sentiment among investors in the sector.

Hong Kong Stock Market Performance: Hong Kong stocks opened lower, with the HSI down 1.1% at 27,097, the HSCEI down 1.3% at 9,191, and the HSTECH down 1.3% at 5,644.

Decline in Precious Metals: Gold and silver prices saw significant drops, with CHINAGOLDINTL plunging 12.3% and other mining stocks like ZIJIN MINING and SD GOLD also experiencing declines of over 10%.

Resource Stocks Slump: Resource stocks, including JIANGXI COPPER and CHALCO, faced declines between 5.5% and 7.2%, with substantial short selling activity reported.

Telecom Sector Adjustments: Telecom service VAT for major companies like CHINA MOBILE and CHINA UNICOM was adjusted from 6% to 9%, leading to significant stock price drops of up to 9.9% for CHINA UNICOM.

Market Reaction to Fed Chair Nominee: The DXY rose following President Trump's announcement of the Fed Chair nominee, while the Hong Kong stock market experienced significant declines, with the HSI dropping 498 points or 1.8% by the morning session's close.

Gold and Mining Stocks Performance: Gold prices fell over 3%, leading to substantial losses in mining stocks such as SD GOLD and ZIJIN GOLD, which plunged 12.9% and 10% respectively, alongside other mining companies experiencing similar declines.

Pharmaceutical Sector Developments: CSPC PHARMA's stock plummeted 12.5% despite a partnership with AstraZeneca for drug development, which included an upfront payment exceeding HKD9.3 billion.

Corporate News and Market Rumors: The Panama Supreme Court ruled contracts for two local ports unconstitutional, negatively impacting CKH HOLDINGS, while rumors of a potential ownership change at NEW WORLD DEV led to a 3.7% increase in its stock price.

Gold Price Decline: Gold prices have retreated from historical peaks, with spot gold down 4% to USD5,159.07 per ounce, and gold futures for February delivery falling 3.45% to USD5,134.8 per ounce.

Impact on Gold Miners: HK-listed gold miners experienced significant declines, with ZHAOJIN MINING down 9.65%, ZIJIN MINING down 8.8% after issuing USD1.5 billion in convertible bonds, and SD GOLD down 12.72%.

Short Selling Activity: There was notable short selling activity among gold stocks, with ratios exceeding 15% for several companies, indicating bearish sentiment among investors.

Market Outlook: Morgan Stanley suggests that gold prices have not peaked, with a potential bull case predicting prices could reach USD5,700 in the second half of the year.