白银比黄金还“疯”？

Core Viewpoint - The global precious metals market has seen a significant surge, particularly in silver, which has returned to above $50 per ounce after a notable increase of over 4.5% on November 10, 2023 [1] Price Movement - Since early April 2023, the price of silver has risen from just above $28 per ounce to over $54 per ounce by October 16, marking a maximum increase of over 90%, outperforming gold [3] - After a decline post-October 17, where silver prices fell to above $45 per ounce, the market has shown recovery, with prices stabilizing above $50 per ounce as of November 11 [5] Supply and Demand Dynamics - The U.S. government has classified silver as a strategic resource, elevating its status from an industrial commodity to one of national security and technological independence [4] - From 2016 to 2020, total silver supply was 5.087 billion ounces, while total demand was 4.902 billion ounces, indicating a relatively loose supply situation. However, since 2021, global silver demand has exceeded supply, leading to a projected supply-demand gap of 210.5 million ounces in 2024 and 187.6 million ounces in 2025 [5] - Silver's role as an industrial material, particularly in solar energy and electric vehicles, is driving demand. The global photovoltaic installation is expected to reach 655 GW by 2025, requiring 160 million ounces of silver [5] Market Influences - The rising price of gold, influenced by geopolitical conflicts, U.S. debt crises, and central bank purchases, has also positively impacted silver prices. The gold-silver ratio reached a historical high of 106, providing attractive investment opportunities [6] - The Federal Reserve's shift to a rate-cutting cycle has reduced the opportunity cost of holding silver, attracting more investment into the silver market [6] Future Outlook - Optimistic market views suggest that silver has broken through technical resistance levels, with potential for further increases, possibly reaching $100 per ounce, especially with a declining dollar [6] - Cautious perspectives highlight potential selling pressure above $40 per ounce and the risk of profit-taking if the gold-silver ratio falls below 70 [6][7] - The rising costs of silver may lead the photovoltaic industry to seek "de-silverization" technologies, potentially reducing future demand [6]