Silver exchange traded funds have rallied along with gold bullion this year, but rising industrial demand for the white metal may help propel silver prices.
Bolstering the appeal for silver, the precious metal enjoys heavy industrial demand that benefits from an expanding global economy. Over 50% of global demand for silver comes from industries like chemicals, medicine and technological appliances.
The greater industrial demand may also help explain silver’s recent outperformance. Over the past three months, the iShares Silver Trust (NYSEArca: SLV) and ETFS Physical Silver Shares (NYSEArca: SIVR) increased 12.5%, whereas the SPDR Gold Shares (NYSEArca: GLD) rose 6.1%.
Related: Analysis: Silver ETFs Are Outshining Gold
Looking ahead, the quickly expanding photovoltaic panel or solar industry could continue to drive silver demand. Installations and investment in solar panels, which incorporate silver for its electrical conductivity, are at record levels, reports Henry Sanderson for the Financial Times.
According to Thompson Reuters GFMS, the solar industry’s silver demand increased 23% last year, the second consecutive year of increases.
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