Silver (SI=F) September futures started trading at $69.34 per ounce on Monday, August 24, 2026, reflecting a 0.3% drop from the previous Friday’s close. By 8:40 a.m. ET, the price had slipped slightly more to $69.29.
For the first time since June 16, silver has opened above $69, marking an 18.2% increase for the month.
This morning, Brian Sozzi, Executive Editor at Yahoo Finance, shared some insights into the factors behind the recent rise in precious metal prices:
Gold and silver are experiencing price increases due to a mix of monetary policy changes, rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, and ongoing global inflation.
A significant driver of the recent surge is the U.S. Treasury’s surprising move to double its long-term bond buyback program to $4 billion per session. This has sparked a wave of short-covering and speculative buying in the precious metals sector.
Additionally, the ongoing conflict with Iran has pushed energy prices up again, solidifying gold’s role as the go-to safe-haven asset globally.
Moreover, silver’s impressive performance can also be attributed to a real shortfall in physical supply coupled with increasing industrial demand.
There’s growing consumption driven by AI data center needs, upgrades to the electrical grid, and advanced electronics, which is outpacing global mining production.
Continue reading: Reasons behind the $5 trillion increase in gold and silver prices
Current price of silver
The opening price for silver futures on Monday, August 24, 2026, reflects a minor 0.3% decrease from Friday. Here’s how today’s silver opening compares to the past week, month, and year:
One week ago: +6.3%
One month ago: +18.2%
One year ago: +77.8%
For perspective, silver’s year-over-year growth reached 173.3% as of May 14.
In case you’re interested, the current price of silver can be tracked 24/7 on Yahoo Finance.
Are you curious about leading companies in the silver industry? You can explore a list of top-performing companies using the Yahoo Finance Screener, which allows for custom screening with over 150 criteria.
How beginners can invest in silver
If you’re considering investing in silver, there are various options ranging from buying the physical metal to choosing financial instruments linked to its price. Let’s break down these methods.
Physical silver
The most straightforward way to invest in silver is to purchase it in physical form, like bullion bars or government-issued coins. This grants you direct ownership of the metal without the exposure of an exchange or financial institution.
However, there are some logistics to consider. You’ll need to manage storage, security, and possibly insurance. Dealers also usually mark up prices above the spot rate, so the market price has to exceed that premium before you see profit. But for those who prefer tangible assets, this remains a viable option.
Silver ETFs
Silver ETFs (exchange-traded funds) operate similarly to regular stocks on exchanges. Some hold physical silver directly, allowing investors to have fractional ownership of the metal, while others invest in silver mining companies instead of the metal itself.
ETFs are generally quite accessible and liquid, making it easy for you to trade them through standard brokerage accounts, without worrying about storage or insurance.
Keep in mind, though, that certain silver funds could be taxed as collectibles, leading to potentially higher tax rates. It might be wise to verify tax implications with a financial expert before diving in, and also to monitor any associated expense ratios.
Read more: 5 ways to invest in silver for beginners
Price of silver chart
Whether you’re interested in silver’s price over the last month or year, the chart below captures its value movement for this year.
More insights on silver from the Yahoo Finance team:
