Volatile exchange traded funds tracking silver have fallen sharply along with the metal from $50 an ounce. Now the question is whether beaten-down silver ETFs offer a buying opportunity or if it’s time to get out of the way.
“The iShares Silver Trust (NYSEArca: SLV) has been the most speculated and hence volatile of the commodity ETFs,” said Tarquin Coe, technical analyst at Investors Intelligence, in a report Thursday.
He added the silver ETF is trading at potential channel support while conditions are close to oversold.
The iShares Silver Trust lost 3% on Thursday and is off nearly 15% over the past week as higher margin requirements in futures markets have played a part in the sell-off.
Other ETFs for silver include ETFS Physical Silver (NYSEArca: SIVR) and PowerShares DB Silver (NYSEArca: DBS).
While some traders may be tempted to play an oversold bounce in silver ETFs, recent volatility makes it a risky bet. Silver was trading below $35 an ounce on Thursday. If the selling picks up steam, the next potential support is around $30 an ounce.
“Bottom line: the sell-off in silver looks near complete but new longs at current levels need to allow for a possible spike down to $30,” said Coe at Investors Intelligence. “A sustained break of that level could be used as a stop.”
iShares Silver Trust
Full disclosure: Tom Lydon’s clients own SLV.