Silver Price Forecast: XAG/USD holds ground above $28.50 ahead of ECB decision, US data

• Silver price holds gains ahead of the ECB interest rate decision scheduled for Thursday.
• ECB is highly expected to lower rates by implementing a 25 basis points rate cut.
• August’s US Consumer Price Index data have increased the odds of a 25-basis points rate cut by the Fed in September.

Silver price (XAG/USD) edges higher for the fourth consecutive day, trading around $28.74 during the Asian hours on Thursday. The non-yielding assets like Silver receive support as traders anticipate that the European Central Bank (ECB) will lower the Main Refinancing Operations Rate to 4.0% by implementing a 25 basis points rate cut at its upcoming policy meeting later in the day.

Easing monetary policies by central banks globally benefits Silver by reducing the opportunity cost of holding non-interest-bearing bullion assets. August’s US Consumer Price Index (CPI) data showed that headline inflation dropped to a three-year low, which has increased expectations of a 25-basis points rate cut by the Fed in September. Investors will shift focus on the US Producer Price Index and Initial Jobless Claims data, scheduled for Thursday for further insights.

The US CPI fell to 2.5% year-on-year in August, down from the previous reading of 2.9% and below the expected 2.6%. The headline CPI rose by 0.2% month-on-month. Core CPI, excluding food and energy, remained steady at 3.2% year-on-year, while it increased to 0.3% month-on-month, up from the previous 0.2% reading.

According to the CME FedWatch Tool, markets are fully anticipating at least a 25 basis point (bps) rate cut by the Federal Reserve at its September meeting. The likelihood of a 50 bps rate cut has sharply decreased to 15.0%, down from 44.0% a week ago.

Silver FAQs

Why do people invest in Silver?

Silver is a precious metal highly traded among investors. It has been historically used as a store of value and a medium of exchange. Although less popular than Gold, traders may turn to Silver to diversify their investment portfolio, for its intrinsic value or as a potential hedge during high-inflation periods. Investors can buy physical Silver, in coins or in bars, or trade it through vehicles such as Exchange Traded Funds, which track its price on international markets.

Which factors influence Silver prices?

Silver prices can move due to a wide range of factors. Geopolitical instability or fears of a deep recession can make Silver price escalate due to its safe-haven status, although to a lesser extent than Gold's. As a yieldless asset, Silver tends to rise with lower interest rates. Its moves also depend on how the US Dollar (USD) behaves as the asset is priced in dollars (XAG/USD). A strong Dollar tends to keep the price of Silver at bay, whereas a weaker Dollar is likely to propel prices up. Other factors such as investment demand, mining supply – Silver is much more abundant than Gold – and recycling rates can also affect prices.

How does industrial demand affect Silver prices?

Silver is widely used in industry, particularly in sectors such as electronics or solar energy, as it has one of the highest electric conductivity of all metals – more than Copper and Gold. A surge in demand can increase prices, while a decline tends to lower them. Dynamics in the US, Chinese and Indian economies can also contribute to price swings: for the US and particularly China, their big industrial sectors use Silver in various processes; in India, consumers’ demand for the precious metal for jewellery also plays a key role in setting prices.

How do Silver prices react to Gold’s moves?

Silver prices tend to follow Gold's moves. When Gold prices rise, Silver typically follows suit, as their status as safe-haven assets is similar. The Gold/Silver ratio, which shows the number of ounces of Silver needed to equal the value of one ounce of Gold, may help to determine the relative valuation between both metals. Some investors may consider a high ratio as an indicator that Silver is undervalued, or Gold is overvalued. On the contrary, a low ratio might suggest that Gold is undervalued relative to Silver.

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