Chinese New Year 2026: Gold and silver prices extended their decline on Tuesday, February 17, amid thin trade as the closure of key Asian markets for the Lunar New Year drained liquidity from the global bullion trade. Reduced participation from China and other major regional hubs coincided with easing geopolitical tensions and a stronger U.S. dollar, intensifying pressure on precious metals.

With the Chinese new year today, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea stock markets are shut for the Lunar New Year holidays, sharply limiting demand for the precious metals. China’s absence is especially significant given its dominant role in global gold trading and its growing influence over silver, both as an industrial…