Gold and silver prices plunge over 25% amid war, but strong Chinese demand and analyst optimism persist.

Gold and silver prices have sharply dropped, with gold down about 25.5% and silver nearly 50% from their January peaks, entering technical bear markets. Despite this, physical demand in China remains robust, with silver imports hitting an eight-year high due to strong industrial use. Analysts suggest the selloff is driven by panic and profit-taking rather than fundamentals, expecting central banks to intervene with supportive policies amid rising recession risks and debt pressures. Mining stocks have also declined significantly, though some diversified miners remain relatively resilient, indicating potential value opportunities ahead.