Silver Hits a Record High: 4 Reasons Why ETFs Can Soar Higher

Core Viewpoint - Silver prices have reached a new record, with the iShares Silver Trust (SLV) gaining 97.3% year-to-date, significantly outperforming the SPDR Gold Trust (GLD) which has increased by about 58% [1] Group 1: Market Dynamics - Rising speculative positions driven by expectations of ongoing supply tightness and lower U.S. borrowing costs have contributed to the rally in silver prices [2] - The Federal Reserve has implemented two rate cuts in 2025, with a high probability of further cuts, which typically supports non-yielding assets like silver [5] - The U.S. dollar has weakened, with the Invesco DB US Dollar Index Bullish Fund (UUP) down 5% this year, which tends to boost silver prices as it is dollar-denominated [7] Group 2: Industrial Demand - Approximately 50% of silver's total demand comes from industrial applications, with a 4% increase in industrial demand reported in 2024, particularly driven by green energy initiatives [3] - The automotive industry is expected to increase silver demand due to rising vehicle sophistication and the gradual electrification of powertrains [4] - Silver's applications in solar power and electric vehicles, along with the global rollout of 5G technology, are significant contributors to rising demand [4] Group 3: Safe-Haven Appeal - Silver is viewed as a safe-haven asset, although not as strongly as gold, and has maintained its appeal amid moderate trade tensions [8] Group 4: ETF Holdings and Supply Constraints - Holdings in silver-backed ETFs have increased by approximately 200 tons recently, reaching their highest level since 2022, indicating strong investor interest [9] - Supply pressures have intensified, with inventories at warehouses linked to the Shanghai Futures Exchange dropping to their lowest level in a decade [9]