Silver Shortage Supports Rally, Technicals Point To Further Gains

Core Insights - Silver is significantly outperforming gold, indicating a potential second phase of the commodity bull market, with spot silver rising over 85% in 2025 from under $30 to over $54 per ounce [1] Supply and Demand Dynamics - The rally in silver prices is driven by tight inventories, persistent investor flows, and a structural supply deficit, with projections of silver reaching $60 next year [3] - Industrial demand for silver rose to 689 million ounces in 2024, with photovoltaic applications accounting for 244 million ounces, a more than 150% increase from 2020 [5] - The Silver Institute anticipates a fifth consecutive annual supply deficit of approximately 95 million ounces, despite weak demand for jewelry and silverware [6] - Over 70% of mined silver is a byproduct of other metal production, limiting the ability of producers to respond quickly to price increases [7] Technical Analysis - Silver's price patterns exhibit significant technical formations, including a cup-and-handle pattern, suggesting potential further price increases in 2025 [11]