By Sean Broderick of Uncommon Wisdom Daily
Do you think silver is poised to go higher?
I sure do. That’s because I’m watching what is going on in the world’s silver ETFs. I’m also watching the mountain of forces that are piling up to push the metal higher.
Look at this chart. It shows all the metal held by the world’s physical silver ETFs (black line). And all the metal held by the world’s physical gold ETFs (blue line) …
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I showed you this same chart last week. Since then, silver ETFs have added another 8 million ounces. At the same time, gold ETFs have added only 56,000 ounces.
In fact, since late April, silver ETFs have added 31 million ounces of the metal. Gold ETF holdings over that time frame have zigged and zagged. But those are basically flat.
Kind makes you go “hmm,” doesn’t it?
Why is someone stocking up on all that silver?
I can think of a few reasons why …
Silver ore in mines is getting less-rich. That makes sense, because miners dig up the rich stuff first. And silver, like gold, is a depleting asset. That’s why primary silver miners’ average yield has fallen from 13 ounces per ton in 2005 to 7.4 ounces per ton in 2016. This is a 43% decline in just 12 years.
The Silver Institute reported that global silver production peaked in 2015. It takes years to bring a new silver mine online. And let me tell you, there aren’t a lot of new silver projects around.
Looking at that earlier chart of silver ETFs, the recent demand trend looks clear. (Up!) Now ask yourself, “What happens when silver demand goes higher?”
Last year, the physical deficit was 52.2 million ounces, according to Thomson Reuters. That was the third deficit in a row. And that trend is not about to change anytime soon …Well, when you put together rising demand and falling supply, you get a deficit.
Another Massive Deficit This Year
This year, it should be four years of deficit in a row. Banking giant HSBC has forecast a 132 million-ounce deficit for 2017. That’s more than double last year’s deficit.
Sure, not everyone agrees on the exact amount of silver supply … demand … or silver in storage. That’s what makes a market.
But the forecasts of a deficit are backed up by what we can see on the ground. Chile’s silver production dropped 26% in the first quarter.
Now, some will tell you that the silver market is always in deficit lately. And the market never seems to care.
That’s true … to a point. That’s because the deficit can be made up by above-ground stockpiles. But stockpiles will only last so long.
And that brings me back to that chart I showed you. I think someone is betting that the time for a price squeeze is edging closer.
Solar Demand Could be Key
The difference may be photovoltaic demand. It climbed from 57.2 million ounces in 2015 to 76.6 million ounces in 2016. And the solar buildout is still ramping up.
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Forecasts by GTM Research predict that solar installations will double from 2015 to 2021.
I find that solar forecasts that go more than a couple years out are generally unreliable. So far, they’ve always underestimated real demand.
On the other hand, remember that the solar industry is getting more-efficient in its silver use. Still, add it all up, and the demand trend looks big.
That’s longer term. Is there a driver of silver prices in the short term? Yes!
Let me show you one more chart. I snagged this from our friends at BullionVault.com. It shows how hedge funds are betting on silver right now.
I’d say silver could go ballistic. Hedge funds are making a lot of bearish bets on silver. But keep in mind that hedge funds are often wrong. What do you suppose will happen if and when they have to cover those bearish bets?
As published yesterday on Uncommon Wisdom Daily
News and Commentary
PRECIOUS-Gold rises as Asian stocks, dollar slip after oil slump (Reuters.com)
Gold prices halt two-session skid as dollar stalls (MarketWatch.com)
Jobless claims edge up; goods trade deficit widens (Reuters.com)
LBMA launches code of conduct for precious metals markets (IndiaTimes.com)
Gold used to deliver anticancer drugs into tumours (ScienceDaily.com)
Equities: “Ding Ding”…Last Lap (Scribd.com)
SOMETHING CHANGED IN THE SILVER MARKET IN MAY: Here Are 3 Reasons Why (SRSRoccoReport.com)
Bitcoin Twice as Expensive as Gold as Buying Frenzy Bites: Chart (Bloomberg.com)
As Bitcoin Skyrockets, Trouble Is Looming (KingWorldNews.com)
Wine, Art, and Ferraris: The Bubble in Luxury Goods (Mises.org)
Toronto Homeowners Are Suddenly in a Rush to Sell (Bloomberg.com)
Gold Prices (LBMA AM)
26 May: USD 1,265.00, GBP 983.41 & EUR 1,127.87 per ounce
25 May: USD 1,257.10, GBP 969.48 & EUR 1,119.57 per ounce
24 May: USD 1,251.35, GBP 963.29 & EUR 1,119.58 per ounce
23 May: USD 1,259.90, GBP 969.62 & EUR 1,119.17 per ounce
22 May: USD 1,255.25, GBP 967.17 & EUR 1,123.07 per ounce
19 May: USD 1,251.85, GBP 962.17 & EUR 1,122.03 per ounce
18 May: USD 1,261.35, GBP 968.21 & EUR 1,133.95 per ounce
Silver Prices (LBMA)
26 May: USD 17.29, GBP 13.45 & EUR 15.41 per ounce
25 May: USD 17.15, GBP 13.23 & EUR 15.29 per ounce
24 May: USD 17.03, GBP 13.14 & EUR 15.22 per ounce
23 May: USD 17.14, GBP 13.22 & EUR 15.25 per ounce
22 May: USD 16.95, GBP 13.04 & EUR 15.10 per ounce
19 May: USD 16.77, GBP 12.90 & EUR 15.02 per ounce
18 May: USD 16.81, GBP 12.90 & EUR 15.10 per ounce
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