Silver Is Stuck Below $20 as Strength of Dollar Pours Fresh Pain on Unloved Metal

Silver remains below $20 an ounce at levels last seen two years ago.

The climate of ever rising interest rates combined with concerns over the economic growth prospects that could see high inflation tip over into a recession have dealt silver two large blows.

The series of interest rate hikes implemented by the Federal Reserve and other major central banks, with Australia the latest hiker, has created an environment where non-yield paying assets such as silver are much less attractive. Added to this, the Fed’s aggression has seen the US dollar strengthen with its gains further boosted by the greenback becoming the haven asset of choice amid jittery market conditions, with gold seemingly having fallen out of favour. 

Live Silver Price – $/oz

While inflation on the face of it would be a boost for silver, this has been more than offset by the hawkish monetary policies adopted by central banks. The fear that these measures to tackle inflation will trigger a recession or stagflation have further hit market confidence with silver pulled down with its industrial exposure. 

For now, silver just can’t find any support but as stated numerous times in these commentaries, the medium-term outlook remains bullish for silver, given it is a key component of two of the most important technologies of the energy transition, in solar energy and electric vehicles. As soon as its fortunes turn, silver could rally quickly but for now it looks like there is more pain for holders to endure first.

Rupert is a Market Analyst for Kinesis Money, responsible for updating the community with insights and analysis on the gold and silver markets. He brings with him a breadth of experience in writing about energy and commodities having worked as an oil markets reporter and then precious metals reporter during the seven years he worked at Bloomberg News. 

As well as market analysis, Rupert writes longer-form thought leadership pieces on topics ranging from carbon markets, the growth of renewable energy and the challenges of avoiding greenwash while investing sustainably.

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