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Silver (XAG) Forecast: Fed Rate Cut Signals Spark Rally Towards $30 Level

By:
James Hyerczyk
Published: Aug 26, 2024, 11:18 GMT+00:00

Key Points:

  • Silver nears $30 as Fed signals potential rate cuts, with technical indicators pointing to a bullish breakout.
  • Silver lags behind gold, but dovish Fed policies and upcoming economic data could fuel a significant catch-up rally.
  • Traders eye a 64% chance of a September rate cut, which could drive silver demand and push prices past the $30 level.
Silver Prices Forecast:

In this article:

Silver Poised for Breakout as Fed Signals Rate Cuts

Silver prices are approaching a critical juncture, hovering near the psychologically important $30 level. This comes as Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s recent comments have sparked renewed interest in precious metals.

At 11:11 GMT, XAG/USD is trading $30.12, up $0.29 or +0.97%.

Technical Outlook for Silver

Daily Silver (XAG/USD)

Silver’s current technical position appears bullish:

  • Price is trading above the 50-day moving average at $29.67
  • A major pivot point at $29.50 is providing support
  • The daily chart shows no significant resistance until $31.76

These factors suggest potential for further upside movement if silver can decisively break above $30.

Powell’s Dovish Stance Boosts Silver

Fed Chair Powell’s recent speech at Jackson Hole Symposium has significant implications for silver traders:

  • Powell signaled readiness to cut interest rates
  • The Fed is shifting focus to protecting the job market
  • Inflation is seen as moving sustainably towards the 2% target

These dovish remarks have weakened the dollar, typically a positive driver for silver prices.

Silver vs Gold Performance

While gold has been reaching record highs, silver has shown a more muted response:

  • Silver has not benefited as strongly from geopolitical risk premiums
  • Industrial demand concerns have capped silver’s upside
  • However, the prospect of rate cuts could now propel silver to catch up with gold’s performance

Market Expectations and Rate Cut Implications

Traders are pricing in significant chances of rate cuts:

  • 64% probability of a 25 basis point cut in September
  • 36% chance of a 50 basis point cut
  • At least one cut is expected before year-end

Lower interest rates tend to boost non-yielding assets like silver, potentially driving increased investment demand.

Market Forecast

The silver market appears poised for a bullish move in the short term. The combination of a supportive technical setup and fundamental tailwinds from expected rate cuts creates a favorable environment for silver prices.

Traders should watch for a decisive break above $30, which could trigger a rally towards the next major resistance at $31.76. However, caution is warranted as the market approaches this key level. A failure to break $30 could lead to consolidation or a pullback towards the 50-day moving average.

Key factors to monitor include upcoming economic data, especially the August jobs report, which could influence the Fed’s rate decision. Additionally, industrial demand indicators will be crucial, as they have been a limiting factor for silver compared to gold.

In conclusion, silver traders should be prepared for increased volatility as the market tests the $30 level, with a bias towards the upside given the current macroeconomic backdrop and technical setup.

About the Author

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.

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