Beginner's Guide · Read the direction behind the numbers

What Moves Silver

Silver is both a precious metal and an industrial one — about half its demand is industrial. It follows gold, but adds a layer of the economic cycle.

Bullish · Latest move favorableBearish · Latest move unfavorableTwo-way · Depends on context (see card)

Card colour reflects whether the latest move helps or hurts this asset · ↻ Tap a card for its definition & impact · ⓘ Hover for a quick note

Silver is both a precious metal and an industrial one — about half its demand is industrial. It follows gold, but adds a layer of the economic cycle.

Silver = precious metal + industrial metal. Almost everything that moves gold (rates, the dollar, safe-haven flows) applies to silver too, but silver adds a layer of industrial demand and usually swings more sharply than gold.
Factors Shared with Gold

Real Interest Rate

Current
2.55%
Also weighs on silver
Prev. 2.46% · +0.09pp
As of Sep 10
Bearish
↻ Back

Real Interest Rate

Silver is also a non-yielding precious metal; rising real rates raise its holding cost too.
Real rate up → bearish
Down / turns negative → bullish
Read the full explanation →

Broad Dollar Index

Current
118.07
Inverse relationship
Prev. 118.13 · −0.05
As of Sep 4
Bullish
↻ Back

Broad Dollar Index

Silver is priced in dollars; a stronger dollar likewise dampens silver demand.
Dollar strengthens → bearish
Dollar weakens → bullish
Read the full explanation →

Safe-Haven Demand

Current
Risk elevated
Follows goldSample
Bullish
↻ Back

Safe-Haven Demand

Silver has some safe-haven appeal, but its industrial side makes it less pure than gold in risk-off episodes.
Risk up → bullish
Calm → bearish
Silver-Specific Dimensions

Industrial Demand

Current
≈ 50% of demand
Solar · electronics · EVsSample
Two-way
↻ Back

Industrial Demand

In a strong economy industrial demand adds support; in a recession it becomes a drag. This is the key difference from gold.
Industrial boom → extra bullish for silver
Recession → industrial demand drags

Supply Deficit

Current
Persistent deficit
Industrial use > outputSample
Bullish
↻ Back

Supply Deficit

When industrial use persistently exceeds output and recycling, the structural shortage provides long-term support for silver.
Widening deficit → bullish
Surplus → bearish