Silver
Silver prices have surged higher by 30% so far this year, outpacing the rally seen in gold prices.
The silver-backed ETFs registered net inflows of 95 million ounces (Moz) in the first half of 2025.
Silver has a dual character, valued both for its uses as a financial asset and an industrial input, including for clean-energy technologies.
However, consolidation in China's solar industry and slower growth in the world's second biggest economy could pose headwinds for silver in the near-term.
This scrutiny is part of the state’s effort to uncover what is being dumped in its landfills.
The spread between the Chinese and international silver prices has widened further during recent times.
A new list of critical minerals for Canada is expected to be published before summer 2024.
In contrast, silver physical investment is projected to record 6% decline in 2024 to hit the lowest level in four years.
Also, 22 qualified silver and gold suppliers too have tied up with IIBX to enable trading of the precious metals.
The silver jewelry demand is expected to witness year-on-year decline by 22% to 182 Moz.
India is the world's largest consumer of silver, and imports as much as 90% of its requirement (about 9,500 tonnes in 2022).
However, the demand is expected to cool off somewhat in 2023.
These new investment options could increase the demand for silver in India and ultimately impact global demand for the white metal.
Over the last decade, the only years that silver investment demand fell in India were in 2016 and during the pandemic in 2020.
Also, it expects the demand to fall in 2023.
According to the report, the global silver demand is expected to touch 1.1 billion ounces this year, significantly higher by 5% compared with 2021.
As per the circular released by the market regulator, silver ETFs will have to invest at least 95% of net assets in silver and silver-related instrument.
The consumption of silver by manufacturers and jewellers has witnessed notable decline, mainly due to slump in demand during the pandemic period.
The DGCX recorded the third highest Average Open Interest (AOI) in its Euro (EUR) FX Rolling Futures Contracts since its launch.
The global silver production took a hit during the initial nine-month period of 2020 due to the pandemic.
The investors’ attempts to protect their wealth amidst pandemic crisis, coupled with supply deficits, led to rally in precious metals during 2020.
The global silver supply was badly hit by Covid-19 disruptions.
As per data, the imports of silver witnessed notable decline by almost 40% in 2019, when matched with 2018.
Meantime, the silver jewellery exports tumbled in May 2018.
The lifting of restrictions may lead to notable jump in gold imports from South Korea, on account of abuse of free trade pact between the two countries.