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Gold Isn't the Only Metal That's Shining—Silver and Platinum Prices Are Surging Too
Investopedia·2025-10-03 19:45

Group 1 - The price of gold is on track to achieve its highest yearly return in nearly 50 years, with a significant surge this year, while silver and platinum have also seen substantial gains, with silver reaching its highest historical value and platinum outperforming gold [1][5][8] - The gains in precious metals reflect a global financial market characterized by policy uncertainty, inflation concerns, and a looming U.S. government shutdown, leading investors to seek safe-haven assets [2][4][8] - The Federal Reserve's potential interest rate cuts may further support demand for precious metals by reducing competition from income-generating assets [3][4] Group 2 - Gold has increased by 48% year-to-date, trading near $3,900 per troy ounce, while silver has gained approximately 65% and is trading near $48 per troy ounce, surpassing its 2011 peak [5][6] - Platinum has shown remarkable performance with a nearly 80% year-to-date return, trading around $1,600 per troy ounce, indicating strong demand across all three precious metals [6][8] - Mining companies have benefited from rising prices, with the Van Eck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) and Global X Silver Miners ETF (SIL) each gaining about 125% [6] Group 3 - Investment demand is a primary driver of the price increases in precious metals, but central banks have also increasingly turned to gold for reserve storage, with 90% of demand coming from investors, central banks, and jewelry [7][9] - Silver and platinum have industrial applications that support their demand, with silver used in electronics and platinum in catalytic converters for automobiles [9] - Current economic conditions suggest a potential stagflationary environment, which may further bolster the appeal of precious metals as a hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty [10]