Silver prices staged an impressive comeback last week, snapping a two-week losing streak and demonstrating resilience in the face of ongoing economic uncertainties. The precious metal found crucial support near the $27.22 to $26.60 range, ultimately closing at $28.56 – a robust gain of $0.63 or 2.27%. This bullish momentum came despite lingering concerns about industrial demand tied to recession fears in both the U.S. and China.
Two key factors propelled silver higher: escalating conflicts in the Middle East, which drove investors towards safe-haven assets, and growing optimism surrounding potential interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s hints at a possible September rate cut significantly boosted precious metals’ appeal.
Friday’s weaker-than-expected U.S. jobs report further bolstered the case for rate cuts. This sent U.S. 10-year yields plummeting to their lowest levels since December, while the dollar index hit a multi-month low. Both of these factors typically support higher silver prices.
While profit-taking emerged late Friday, silver still logged an impressive weekly gain of over 2%. From a technical perspective, traders should keep a close eye on the critical support level of $26.02, while major resistance hurdles lie at $31.76 and $32.52.
Looking ahead to next week, silver traders should remain cautiously optimistic. The potential for a Fed rate cut in September, coupled with ongoing geopolitical tensions, could continue to provide support for silver prices. However, it’s important to remember that silver’s industrial demand component makes it susceptible to economic concerns, particularly regarding China’s growth outlook.
Traders should closely monitor upcoming economic data releases and any developments in the Middle East situation, as these factors could significantly influence price action. While the overall trend appears positive, it’s crucial to approach the market with measured expectations and be prepared for potential volatility. Silver’s ability to hold above the recent support levels will be key in determining whether the current upward momentum can be sustained.
James is a Florida-based technical analyst, market researcher, educator and trader with 35+ years of experience. He is an expert in the area of patterns, price and time analysis as it applies to futures, Forex, and stocks.