Silver price climbs on geopolitical jitters, faces drag from higher yields

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Silver (XAG/USD) trades around $68.50 on Friday at the time of writing, up 0.59% on the day, supported by renewed investor interest. Despite this uptick, the white metal remains within a broadly sideways trend, as market participants stay cautious amid an uncertain macroeconomic environment.

Silver moves higher during the European session, trading around $68.50.
Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to fuel market uncertainty.
Rising inflation expectations weigh on the appeal of non-yielding assets.

The geopolitical backdrop remains a key driver. Hopes for de-escalation in the Middle East are fading after reports suggested that Iran did not request a pause in planned US strikes on its energy infrastructure. This casts doubt on statements from US President Donald Trump, who had previously indicated that attacks were postponed at Tehran’s request. The situation continues to fuel volatility across financial markets.

In this context, Oil prices remain elevated, notably due to ongoing tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. Higher energy prices are reinforcing global inflation expectations, reshaping the outlook for monetary policy across major economies.

Investors are now reassessing the interest rate path, pricing in a more restrictive environment for longer than previously expected. The Federal Reserve (Fed), the European Central Bank (ECB), and the Bank of England (BoE) may be forced to maintain tighter monetary conditions to contain inflationary pressures.

This shift is weighing on Silver, a non-yielding asset, as rising bond yields increase its opportunity cost. At the same time, the strength of the US Dollar (USD), supported by higher rate expectations, is also limiting the metal’s upside by making it more expensive for non-USD investors.

Against this mixed backdrop, Silver price action remains dependent on the balance between safe-haven demand and macroeconomic pressures linked to interest rates and inflation, pointing to a still fragile near-term outlook.

Silver FAQs

Why do people invest in Silver?

Silver is a precious metal highly traded among investors. It has been historically used as a store of value and a medium of exchange. Although less popular than Gold, traders may turn to Silver to diversify their investment portfolio, for its intrinsic value or as a potential hedge during high-inflation periods. Investors can buy physical Silver, in coins or in bars, or trade it through vehicles such as Exchange Traded Funds, which track its price on international markets.

Which factors influence Silver prices?

Silver prices can move due to a wide range of factors. Geopolitical instability or fears of a deep recession can make Silver price escalate due to its safe-haven status, although to a lesser extent than Gold's. As a yieldless asset, Silver tends to rise with lower interest rates. Its moves also depend on how the US Dollar (USD) behaves as the asset is priced in dollars (XAG/USD). A strong Dollar tends to keep the price of Silver at bay, whereas a weaker Dollar is likely to propel prices up. Other factors such as investment demand, mining supply – Silver is much more abundant than Gold – and recycling rates can also affect prices.

How does industrial demand affect Silver prices?

Silver is widely used in industry, particularly in sectors such as electronics or solar energy, as it has one of the highest electric conductivity of all metals – more than Copper and Gold. A surge in demand can increase prices, while a decline tends to lower them. Dynamics in the US, Chinese and Indian economies can also contribute to price swings: for the US and particularly China, their big industrial sectors use Silver in various processes; in India, consumers’ demand for the precious metal for jewellery also plays a key role in setting prices.

How do Silver prices react to Gold’s moves?

Silver prices tend to follow Gold's moves. When Gold prices rise, Silver typically follows suit, as their status as safe-haven assets is similar. The Gold/Silver ratio, which shows the number of ounces of Silver needed to equal the value of one ounce of Gold, may help to determine the relative valuation between both metals. Some investors may consider a high ratio as an indicator that Silver is undervalued, or Gold is overvalued. On the contrary, a low ratio might suggest that Gold is undervalued relative to Silver.