OEXN:白银波动加剧

Core Viewpoint - The global silver market is at a critical turning point due to extremely low inventory levels, leading to price volatility that exceeds historical averages. The scarcity of silver has pushed its price into a highly sensitive range, where any capital flow can trigger significant market fluctuations [1][4]. Group 1: Inventory and Price Sensitivity - The weak inventory situation has set the stage for a potential "short squeeze," where a rapid increase in investor demand could lead to exponential price rebounds, while tightening signals could result in equally severe price corrections [1][4]. - Recent price instability is attributed more to regional supply bottlenecks and inventory mismatches rather than a global shortage of physical silver. A significant amount of silver has been transferred from London vaults to U.S. storage due to macro trade policies and potential tariff risks, distorting the pricing mechanism [1][4]. Group 2: Market Drivers - The surge in silver prices since 2025 has been driven by expectations of Federal Reserve interest rate cuts, diversification of assets, and safe-haven buying. However, the inventory squeeze in the London market has amplified the effects of these factors [2][5]. - In a normal market environment, a weekly net demand fluctuation of about 1,000 metric tons would typically increase silver prices by around 2%. In the current low inventory context, this price sensitivity has escalated to 7%, indicating a "high leverage" state in the silver market [2][5]. Group 3: Institutional Holdings and Future Outlook - Despite multiple recent peaks in silver prices, institutional investor enthusiasm has not yet reached its peak, with current silver ETF holdings still below the historical highs of 2021. As major global central banks enter a rate-cutting cycle, silver's appeal as an inflation hedge and asset diversification tool is expected to grow [2][5]. - If investor holdings continue to approach historical peaks alongside the fragile inventory system, silver prices may seek new highs in the coming quarters [2][5]. Group 4: Supply Chain and Policy Challenges - Institutional restrictions on silver exports in certain countries have fragmented the market, creating significant barriers to global flow and leading to a trend of "fragmentation" in the silver market. This structural shift from a "global shared inventory pool" to "isolated regional inventories" has weakened market liquidity [3][6]. - Policy ambiguities may result in long-term inventory retention in specific regions. Even if future trade environments become clearer, the speed of silver returning to traditional trading centers may not be as rapid as expected, potentially prolonging the tight inventory situation in London [3][6].