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.

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.

Southbound Trading Inflows: TENCENT (00700.HK) and XIAOMI-W (01810.HK) saw significant Southbound Trading net inflows of HKD800.5 million and HKD643.1 million, respectively, while ZIJIN MINING (02899.HK), BABA-W (09988.HK), and SMIC (00981.HK) experienced notable outflows.

Short Selling Activity: TENCENT and XIAOMI had short selling amounts of $789.05 million and $1.09 billion, with respective ratios of 5.535% and 16.245%, indicating active trading interest in these stocks.

Target Price Increases: HSBC Global Investment Research raised the target prices for ZIJIN MINING, ZIJIN GOLD INTL, and Zijin Mining, maintaining a Buy rating due to anticipated increases in gold and copper prices.

Copper Market Outlook: The broker expects copper prices to remain high through 2026, supported by a tight market, while geopolitical uncertainties and a weakening USD will bolster gold prices.

ZIJIN GOLD INTL Acquisition: ZIJIN GOLD INTL's acquisition of Allied Gold, which includes three gold mines, is projected to increase its gold production CAGR to approximately 37% from 2025 to 2027, expanding its portfolio to 13 gold mines.

ZIJIN MINING Production Growth: The expansion of ZIJIN MINING's Julong Copper Mine is on track, with expected copper production rising from about 186,000 tons in 2025 to approximately 204,000 tons in 2026.