Driven by uncertainty surrounding U.S. tariff policies, Monday saw a surge in safe-haven demand, pushing gold and silver prices higher while the U.S. dollar index declined. Hong Kong stocks experienced a significant rally, with the Hang Seng Index closing up 2.53% and the Hang Seng Tech Index rising 3.34%. Leading the gains were sectors such as optical fiber, gold, lithium batteries, and semiconductors.
In the simulated stock trading competition hosted by the Daily Economic News App, the 84th session is set to begin on February 24, with many participants already registered. How do top performers view the post-holiday "market bonus" trend? On Monday, several shared their insights.
The 84th session of the competition opens for registration on February 14, 2026. The contest involves simulated trading with a virtual capital of 500,000 yuan. Registration runs from February 14 to February 27, 2026, while the competition period spans from February 24 to February 27, 2026. Participants who achieve positive returns by the end of each session will receive cash prizes. Registrants also gain access to exclusive benefits, with opportunities to compete for the monthly top scorer award.
Cash prizes for each session, before taxes, are structured as follows: first place receives 688 yuan; second to fourth places receive 188 yuan each; fifth to tenth places receive 88 yuan each; and the remaining participants with positive returns share a 500-yuan bonus pool. The monthly top scorer awards, before taxes, include: first place receiving 888 yuan; second to fourth places receiving 288 yuan each; fifth to tenth places receiving 188 yuan each; 11th to 30th places receiving 68 yuan each; and 31st to 100th places receiving 18 yuan each.
To help participants improve their trading strategies, successful registrants gain free access to the "Hotline Quick Review" feature on the Daily Economic News App for six trading days. Additionally, the top 10 performers in each session by return rate will receive an extra 10-day access to the feature, with both benefits being cumulative. The "Hotline Quick Review," developed by Brother Da and his team, offers timely market insights, including the latest hot topics, industry investment logic, and corporate analyses.
Furthermore, to help participants access valuable information and exchange views on market trends and investment strategies with experts, registrants can apply to join the competition’s discussion group. To join, users can open WeChat, tap the "+" icon in the top right corner, select "Add Contacts," then choose "Enterprise WeChat Contacts," and enter the mobile number 13882019385 to add Volcano Jun as a contact.
Since the start of the Year of the Horse, Hong Kong stocks have traded for two sessions, with optical fiber, humanoid robots, gold, and lithium batteries performing strongly. During the Spring Festival period, the A50 futures index rose 1.17% on February 23, with its gains fully offsetting the losses from the previous trading day.
In terms of market news, UBS released a report significantly raising its price forecasts for spodumene and lithium carbonate, noting that the market has entered a third super-cycle for lithium prices.
According to CCTV News, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on the 20th that the Trump administration’s broad tariff policies, implemented under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, were unlawful. On the same day, following the ruling, former President Trump announced a 10% global import tariff, set to last 150 days, replacing the invalidated measures. On the 21st, Trump stated on social media that the previously announced "global import tariff" would be raised from 10% to 15%.
Top participants in the Daily Economic News App’s competition noted that the decline in the U.S. dollar index and the rise in gold and silver prices on Monday were primarily driven by uncertainties in U.S. tariff policies.
Regarding the lithium battery sector, leading contestants observed that demand for lithium carbonate from new energy vehicles remains steady, with the main growth driver coming from energy storage batteries. The next phase of growth may be fueled by solid-state batteries, which could significantly increase demand for lithium carbonate.
In the humanoid robot sector, appearances on CCTV’s Spring Festival Gala and related topics trending online have drawn attention. Some participants believe that the upcoming release of Tesla’s third-generation robot in the first quarter could serve as a major catalyst. The long-term potential of humanoid robots lies in their ability to replace human labor, substantially reducing manufacturing costs, improving efficiency, and entering everyday households.
The competition is a simulated trading event with 500,000 yuan in virtual capital. Registration for the 84th session runs from February 14 to February 27, 2026, and the contest will take place from February 24 to February 27, lasting only four days. Positive returns at the end of each session qualify for cash prizes, and registration includes access to benefits, with chances to compete for the monthly top scorer award.
By registering for the competition, participants also gain the following benefits: First, successful registrants can view the holdings of top performers. To help new participants understand the competition’s features, a summary of key functions is available in the article "A Complete Guide to Watching the Gold Rush Competition: Three Ways to Check Top Performers’ Holdings."
Second, registrants receive six days of free access to the "Hotline Quick Review" on the Daily Economic News App. Additionally, the top 10 performers in each weekly session earn an extra 10-day access, with both perks being cumulative. The "Hotline Quick Review," developed by Brother Da’s team, provides closely aligned market analysis, including the latest hot topics, industry investment logic, and corporate evaluations.
Since April 2025, the "Hotline Quick Review" has highlighted sectors such as the Nvidia supply chain, electronic cloth, rare earths, tungsten, and silver. Companies like Industrial Fulian, Honghe Technology, and Xingye Yinshi have seen their stock prices double, while others like Zhongwu High-tech, Shenghe Resources, and Northern Rare Earth have also delivered substantial gains.
To register, users should first download the Daily Economic News App, open it, and tap "Private Customization" at the bottom of the screen. Then, select "Gold Rush Competition" on the homepage, click "Join for Free," and enter a nickname to complete registration. Note that nicknames can only be modified during registration. After successful registration, participants can click "Enter Trading" in the top right corner of the competition homepage to begin.
(This content is for reference only and does not constitute investment advice. Market participation carries risks.) Cover image source: Daily Economic News Media Asset Library.