沪银罕见“8连阳”！白银为啥领涨贵金属

Core Viewpoint - The recent surge in silver prices, reaching historical highs, is primarily driven by a supply-demand imbalance, with significant increases in industrial demand and declining supply [3][4][5]. Supply and Demand Dynamics - The supply side is constrained by a continuous decline in global silver mine production, projected to drop to 25,200 tons in 2024, an 8.3% year-on-year decrease [3]. - The demand side has seen explosive growth, particularly in high-tech industries such as photovoltaics, semiconductors, and electric vehicles, with global photovoltaic silver usage expected to reach 6,147 tons in 2024, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 15.09% from 2014 to 2024 [4]. - Global silver inventories are at multi-year lows, with the Shanghai Futures Exchange silver inventory falling to 559 tons, the lowest since 2015, and the New York Mercantile Exchange silver inventory decreasing by nearly 16.5% to 142,000 tons [4][5]. Market Sentiment and External Factors - Expectations of continued macroeconomic policy easing, geopolitical tensions, and rising gold prices are contributing to heightened market sentiment and driving silver prices higher [6]. - The current gold-silver ratio remains historically high, suggesting that silver is undervalued compared to gold, attracting speculative investments [6]. Investment Considerations - The volatility of silver prices is significantly higher than that of gold, with historical data indicating sharp price fluctuations [7]. - Investors are advised to adopt a cautious approach, avoiding high leverage and considering gradual investments to mitigate price volatility risks [7][8]. - Holding physical silver is not recommended due to storage challenges and potential oxidation; instead, silver ETFs are suggested as a more suitable investment vehicle for ordinary investors [8].