Silver has emerged as one of the strongest-performing precious metals in 2025, climbing more than 33% over the past year.
As of 8:20 a.m. Eastern Time today, silver traded at $38.80 per ounce, a 0.53% decline from yesterday’s $39.01 but still close to decade highs.
The metal’s surge highlights its unique role as both an inflation hedge and an industrial necessity, with expanding demand in electronics, renewable energy, and medical equipment.
While silver has historically lagged stock market returns, its recent rally shows renewed investor focus on its dual role as a store of value and an industrial commodity.
Silver price trends with 2025 data
Today’s price of $38.80 per ounce reflects a modest dip from yesterday, but over the past month, silver has advanced 1.61% from $38.15.
The one-year picture is even more striking, with a 33.47% increase compared to $29.44 per ounce last year.
This strength comes despite silver’s long-term underperformance relative to equities. Historical data show that since 1921, silver has trailed the S&P 500 by nearly 96%.
Investors who split portfolios equally between silver and stocks a century ago would now see the silver portion valued far lower.
Yet, silver continues to stand out in periods of inflationary pressure. Its ability to preserve value, combined with growing industrial use, has made it a sought-after asset in 2025.
Spot silver and price spread explained
The price often quoted in markets is the “spot silver” rate, representing the live level at which silver can theoretically be traded instantly. However, investors typically pay slightly above this figure to account for mark-ups, insurance, and delivery.
Another important concept is the “price spread”—the difference between the ask price (what buyers pay) and the bid price (what sellers receive). Narrow spreads usually suggest strong demand and liquid market conditions.
This spread is closely monitored by traders because it provides insight into market sentiment. Wider spreads can indicate weaker liquidity or reduced interest.
How to invest in silver
Silver investment options include physical ownership and financial instruments.
Physical assets range from bullion bars and rounds, which are bought by weight and purity, to minted coins such as American Silver Eagles or Silver Maple Leafs, which often carry collectable value.
Silver jewellery also trades above bullion value due to craftsmanship.
For those who prefer indirect exposure, silver ETFs provide access to funds backed by physical metal without the need for storage.
Mining company shares are another route, offering exposure to silver production while also diversifying risks tied directly to price fluctuations.
On most trading platforms, silver bullion and coins must meet the “three nines fine” standard of 99.9% purity, while lower-purity silver is typically classified as industrial or collectable.
Current precious metals prices
Alongside silver’s gains, other precious metals continue to move. Gold currently trades at $3,409.44 per ounce, platinum at $1,342.75, and palladium at $1,092.70.
Gold remains the largest safe-haven market, while platinum and palladium, like silver, display more volatility due to smaller trading volumes.
Silver has rallied nearly 25% so far in 2025, keeping pace with global inflationary trends and industrial demand. Analysts expect the momentum could push prices to new highs, supported by green technology applications such as solar panels and electric vehicles.
However, investors are cautioned that silver is unlikely to match long-term equity returns. Its role lies in diversification and hedging, not outsized growth.
For new investors, its relatively lower price compared to gold makes it an accessible entry point into precious metals.
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