As of 6:30 a.m. ET today, the price of silver stands at $64.74 per ounce. This is a slight decrease of 1 cent from yesterday but shows a significant increase of over $26 compared to this time last year.
| silver price per ounce | % change | |
|---|---|---|
| yesterday’s silver price | $64.75 | -0.1% |
| silver price 1 month ago | $57.65 | +12.29% |
| Silver price 1 year ago | $38.02 | +70.27% |
Historic Silver Performance
When you delve into historical data, it’s clear that the long-term returns on silver lag behind stock market gains. Since 1921, silver has underperformed the S&P 500 by nearly 96%. To put it simply, had you equalized investments in silver and stocks back then, silver’s value today would be about 96% less.
However, silver excels in value preservation, which is particularly helpful in times of inflation. It’s often called a “store of value,” retaining some purchasing power when inflation spikes.
Interestingly, silver is more reactive to price changes than gold because of its broader industrial applications, but gold typically serves as a safer investment.
What Does “Spot Silver” Mean?
“Spot silver” refers to the immediate rate for buying and selling silver. In practice, buyers usually pay above this spot price, accounting for various costs like shipping and insurance.
Spot prices reflect real-time demand; a higher spot price typically indicates stronger market interest.
What Is a “Price Spread” in Silver Trading?
The “price spread” is the difference between the ask (buy) price and the bid (sell) price. Here’s what these terms mean:
- Ask price: The price you pay to buy silver.
- Bid price: The price you receive when selling.
Narrow spreads often indicate high demand for silver.
How to Invest in Silver
You have options for investing in silver, either through physical means or exchange-traded funds (ETFs). ETFs allow you to own shares in a fund that’s backed by physical silver, which can reduce your custodial responsibilities.
Common forms of silver investments include:
- Bullion bars and rounds: Bought based on weight and purity.
- Minted coins: Government-issued coins like the American Silver Eagle, which also hold collectible value.
- Jewelry: Crafted items typically priced higher than bullion of the same purity.
- Mining stocks: Shares in silver mining companies offer an alternative investment route and help mitigate direct price impacts on silver.
Most trading platforms require silver bullion and coins to be at least 99.9% pure, with anything less categorized as industrial or collectible. For additional insights on investing in precious metals, check guides on the best silver IRA companies.
Is It a Good Time to Invest in Silver?
Silver appreciated nearly 25% last year and reached a decade-high.
Your personal investment goals—along with a bit of intuition—will guide your decision on whether now is the right moment to buy. Precious metals can act as a hedge against inflation, and growing industrial demand, particularly in green technology, might continue to drive prices upward.
That said, don’t expect massive profits from silver investments.
Precious Metal Prices as of 6:30 a.m. ET Today
| precious metal | price per ounce |
|---|---|
| gold | $4,354.25 |
| silver | $64.74 |
| platinum | $1,729.67 |
| palladium | $1,301.20 |
In the world of precious metals, gold remains a trusty safe haven. Platinum and palladium echo silver’s volatility, given their smaller markets, while gold’s larger market capitalization provides it with stability.
Take-away
Given today’s dynamic economy, precious metals are worth considering.
Silver has outperformed gold over the last year, and many expect it to maintain this momentum, with the possibility of reaching new highs.
Moreover, silver’s relatively low price compared to gold makes it a more accessible option for new investors. Whether you go for physical silver, ETFs, or mining stocks, there are plenty of routes to prepare yourself for the next surge in silver prices.
FAQ
What percentage of your portfolio should be allocated to silver?
Most financial advisors suggest keeping silver holdings between 10% to 15%, while overall precious metal investments should generally cap out around 20%.
Can I hold silver in an IRA?
Yes, you can. Silver bars and coins with 99.9% purity, stored with an IRS-approved custodian, are IRA-eligible.
However, junk or “Constitution silver,” which is often about 90% pure and was minted before 1965, is not eligible for IRAs, though it retains some collectible value.
What factors will drive the price of silver in 2026?
Short supply combined with increased demand from industrial applications and investors has likely propelled silver’s upward momentum over the past year.
