Stock Markets February 2, 2026

Evercore: Rapid gold and silver retreat unlikely to derail stock rally

Strategists say meme-like moves in precious metals ease systemic-risk concerns and refocus investors on equities

By Jordan Park
Evercore: Rapid gold and silver retreat unlikely to derail stock rally

Evercore ISI strategists led by Julian Emanuel view the recent sharp drop in gold and silver - following what they describe as frantic, meme-like trading - as unlikely to present a material headwind for equities. The firm notes that parabolic price action across a range of assets in early 2026 reflects stretched trends, and that the subsequent reversals should reduce systemic-risk fears and direct attention back to stock markets, particularly AI-sensitive sectors.

Key Points

  • Evercore ISI says the sharp decline in gold and silver after meme-like trading is not a material headwind for equities.
  • Parabolic moves in several assets in early 2026 - including precious metals, copper, memory stocks, Korean equities and the Chinese yuan - reflect stretched trends driven by easy money, a softer dollar and AI-related demand.
  • Evercore remains constructive on equities, especially AI-centric sectors such as Communication Services, Consumer Discretionary and Information Technology, citing earnings growth, stimulus effects and ongoing AI investment as supporting factors.

Market strategists at Evercore ISI, led by Julian Emanuel, say the pronounced selloff in gold and silver that followed "frantic, Meme-like trading" does not represent a meaningful threat to the broader equity market. Instead, they view the pullback as a corrective move that helps calm concerns about mounting systemic risk and returns investor focus to stocks.

Evercore's team points out that a number of assets experienced parabolic upward moves in early 2026. Their note lists precious metals, copper, memory-chip shares, South Korean equities and the Chinese yuan as examples of markets that ran well ahead of underlying fundamentals. The strategists attribute those extended moves to several interacting forces - years of easy monetary policy, a weakening dollar and increased demand tied to AI-related investment.

Despite the scope of those ramp-ups, the firm emphasized that the retreat in Parabolic Gold and Silver following the meme-like trading episode is not a material headwind for stocks. In their view, the pullback "puts to rest fear of building systemic risk and turning focus back to equities." The strategists argue that such reversals are typical after assets reach extreme momentum conditions and noted that a number of markets displayed historically overbought technical readings in recent months.

Evercore also highlighted that heightened volatility is an expected feature at this stage of a multi-year equity advance. The team wrote that "Year 4 of the Bull, by all rights, should be more volatile, and so it is," adding that sharp swings often accompany strong market rallies without necessarily signaling their end. They cautioned against interpreting increased volatility as confirmation of a trend reversal, arguing instead that these moves can create opportunities.

Given these assessments, Evercore reiterated a constructive posture on equities. The firm remains particularly positive toward sectors tied to AI deployment - naming Communication Services, Consumer Discretionary and Information Technology as areas where they see attractive exposures. They pointed to the combination of earnings growth, lingering stimulus effects and continued AI-driven investment as elements that should help sustain the broader uptrend through 2026.

While the strategists acknowledge the market's elevated momentum and the likelihood of further swings, their core conclusion is that the recent selloff in certain assets reduces systemic-risk concerns and refocuses capital markets on the underlying equity case, especially where AI-related demand supports earnings and investment.

Risks

  • Elevated volatility: Year 4 of the bull market is expected to be more volatile, which could lead to sharper swings that test investor confidence - this primarily affects equity markets and sectors with high momentum.
  • Overbought conditions: Several assets showed historically overbought technical readings before the reversals, indicating risk of further abrupt corrections in commodity and technology-linked assets.
  • Concentration in AI-sensitive sectors: A constructive stance focused on Communication Services, Consumer Discretionary and Information Technology depends on continued earnings growth and AI investment, making these sectors sensitive to changes in that backdrop.

More from Stock Markets

Quarantine Enforced at Texas Immigration Center After Two Measles Cases Confirmed Feb 2, 2026 Security Flaw in 'Moltbook' Exposed Private Data of Thousands, Cyber Firm Says Feb 2, 2026 Capgemini to Divest U.S. Government Unit Amid Scrutiny Over ICE Contract Feb 2, 2026 Piper Sandler Favors Select Home Improvement Names as Home Equity Activity Rebounds Feb 2, 2026 Ondas to Buy Rotron Aero, Expanding Long-Range Autonomous Strike Capabilities Feb 2, 2026