As of 8:30 a.m. ET, silver is trading at $90.54 per ounce. This is an increase of $2.44 from yesterday and an increase of more than $58 over the past 12 months.
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historic silver performance
Silver is not typically a high growth target. Historically, it has lagged behind other investment options such as stocks. Since 1921, silver has underperformed the S&P 500 by approximately 96%. This means that if you invested the same amount in silver and equities at the time, your silver would be worth 96% less than equities.
Instead, silver is prized for its stability and ability to hedge against inflation. Often referred to as a “store of value,” it tends to preserve purchasing power when inflation rises.
In general, compared to gold, the price of silver fluctuates more due to industrial demand such as solar power installations and healthcare equipment, while gold is almost purely a safe-haven asset.
What does “spot silver” mean?
“Spot Silver” refers to the live market rate at which silver can be bought and sold instantly. That said, real-world buyers typically pay a premium over the spot price for markup, shipping, insurance, and other fees.
Spot prices serve as a measure of immediate market demand. The higher the spot price, the stronger the desire to buy.
What is a “price spread” in silver trading?
The term “price spread” refers to the difference between the buy (ask) and sell (bid) prices of silver. These terms are defined as follows:
- Suggested price: The cost of purchasing silver.
- Bid price: The amount you receive when you sell silver.
A narrower spread indicates higher demand.
how to invest in silver
Silver exposure can be achieved through physical ownership or through silver-backed exchange traded funds (ETFs). ETFs allow you to own shares in a fund that holds silver, reducing your custodial and insurance responsibilities.
The main silver investment options are:
- Bullion bars and rounds. These are sold by weight and purity
- A silver coin minted by the government. Iconic examples include the American Silver Eagle and the Canadian Silver Maple Leaf, which often command premium prices due to their rarity and endorsement.
- silver jewelry. Custom pieces that sell for more than bullion of equivalent purity.
- Silver mining stocks. Stocks of companies that mine silver. It provides a type of indirect investment in silver.
Exchanges require bullion and coins to meet a minimum purity of 99.9%. Less pure silver typically falls into the collectible or industrial categories. Our guide to the best silver IRA companies details how to invest in silver (and other precious metals) shrewdly.
Is it a good time to invest in silver?
Silver has risen more than 150% over the past year, hitting its highest level in more than a decade.
Deciding whether to invest now depends on your unique attitude towards the market. If inflation is your top priority, adding precious metals is a good idea. Alternatively, if demand for industrial applications such as electronics is expected to increase, prices could rise further.
Precious metal prices as of today at 8:30 a.m. ET
Gold remains the benchmark metal, but platinum and palladium exhibit similar volatility patterns to silver due to their smaller market capitalizations. Gold is relatively stable due to its large market.
Take-out
With the current economic volatility in the market, precious metals are worth at least a cursory look. Silver has outperformed gold recently, and many experts predict further upside is possible, potentially pushing silver to record levels.
Silver has a lower entry cost compared to gold, so it can also be used as an easily accessible hedge. You can profit from anticipated demand for silver through physical bullion, ETFs, mining stocks, and more.
FAQ
What percentage of your portfolio should be allocated to silver?
Many advisors suggest allocating between 10% and 15% for silver and keeping your total holdings in precious metals under 20%.
Can I hold silver in an IRA?
Yes – IRA-eligible silver coins and bars (99.9% purity) held in an IRS-approved depository are eligible. Coins with low silver content, such as pre-1965 U.S. coins, often around 90% pure and known as Constitution silver, are not allowed. But, of course, silver coins and jewelry that don’t reach the 99.9% purity level can also be collected and worn outside of a retirement account.
What factors will drive the price of silver in 2026?
Silver’s rally over the past year reflects a lack of supply and strong demand from both industrial users and investors.
