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Scenario × Asset Analysis

What Happens to China Large-Cap (FXI) When the Gold-Silver Ratio Exceeds 90?

Gold-silver ratio above 90 signals industrial or financial stress. What happens when gold dramatically outpaces silver, a classic late-cycle warning?

China Large-Cap (FXI)
$36.89
as of Apr 14, 2026
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Trigger: Gold (Spot)
$4,863.67
Condition: gold-silver ratio exceeds 90
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How China Large-Cap (FXI) Responds

When the Gold-Silver Ratio Exceeds 90, China Large-Cap (FXI) typically faces selling pressure as risk appetite contracts. iShares China Large-Cap ETF, proxy for Chinese equity market. This scenario is particularly relevant for equity index because changes in Gold (Spot) directly influence the macro environment for China Large-Cap (FXI). Investors should monitor both the trigger condition and China Large-Cap (FXI)'s response to position accordingly.

Scenario Background

The gold-silver ratio measures ounces of silver per one ounce of gold. The long-run historical average runs 50-70, but has ranged from 15 (1980) to 125 (2020 COVID). A ratio above 90 signals that gold is dramatically outperforming silver, typically indicating either financial stress (flight to monetary metal) or industrial weakness (silver has 50% industrial demand).

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Historical Context

The gold-silver ratio exceeded 90 during 1991 (peak 100), 2003 (peak 80+ briefly), 2016 (85), 2019-2020 (peak 125 in March 2020), and 2022-2025 (peaked near 95 multiple times). The March 2020 peak at 125 was the highest on record, driven by silver industrial demand collapse during COVID. The subsequent silver rally from $12 to $28 produced a 130% return in five months. The 2016 episode saw gold-silver peak near 85, followed by silver outperformance of 30% over the subsequent year. Historically, ...

What to Watch For

  • ISM Manufacturing rising above 50 confirming industrial recovery
  • Silver ETF holdings rising (investment demand returning)
  • Real yields declining (both metals rally, silver beta higher)
  • Chinese industrial data improving
  • Solar installation data accelerating

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