Category Archives: Precious Metals

Goldman Sachs Forecasts Gold to Hit Historic $3,000 Mark Amid Central Bank Buying Spree (Bloomberg) — Gold will rally to … Continue reading →

Poland surpasses Great Britain in gold reserves, now holding 420 tons. As gold makes up 15% of its assets, the … Continue reading →

Over the last century, the gold market has, on many occasions, reacted to changes in fiscal policy, economic uncertainty, and … Continue reading →

Renowned analyst Francis Hunt warns of a potential economic downturn, highlighting gold’s role as a crucial hedge against uncertainty. In … Continue reading →

Gold heads for a down week driven by Fed speculation. The yellow metal was little changed early Friday, but is … Continue reading →

Silver Market Facing 4th Straight Deficit in 2024 as Industrial Demand Hits Record – Silver Institute Forecasts According to the … Continue reading →

Gold fell 2.42% today in continuation of last week’s price action. Gold is experiencing a normal pullback after its whopping 50% rise this year. I’m not worried one bit. I’m now watching $2,600 in COMEX futures and the uptrend line as key support levels. Ideally, I’d like to see a bounce from here. After a breakout attempt on October 18th, silver got slammed back below the key $32 to $33 technical zone. I’m annoyed and frustrated by what may well be manipulation. If it is, regulators simply don’t care and turn a blind eye to it. 

Despite that, silver is still in a confirmed uptrend and up nearly 40% this year. I’m waiting for another breakout attempt. For now, we just have to wait a bit longer. I can see a lot of discouragement, frustration, and boredom taking hold within the precious metals community once again, and I want to urge everyone to keep the faith. 

After gold and silver’s 50% rise in the past year, a pullback is normal and not the end of the world. Gold is ultimately heading to $5,000, $10,000, $15,000+, while I expect silver to hit several hundred dollars per ounce as global debt and the money supply continue their inexorable rise. 

The stark reality is that Trump isn’t going to save the world. Even if he could theoretically “save” the U.S. (which I don’t foresee happening), he has zero influence on overly-indebted Europe, Japan, China, Canada, Australia, etc.

We all need to accept that pullbacks are a natural part of this long-term gold and silver bull market and the unraveling of the unsustainable Keynesian monetary experiment. 

The key is to stay calm and not overreact when these inevitable dips happen. Every epic bull market or asset has experienced pullbacks—Tesla, Amazon, Bitcoin, the Nasdaq 100, and even U.S. housing prices. They all consolidate and regroup periodically, and precious metals are no different. 

This consolidation is actually positive; it’s a chance to accumulate more physical gold and silver while prices remain steady. Few of us are fully prepared for the balloon to go up just yet, so take advantage of these gold and silver “sales.”

As you can see, the S&P 500 has experienced several significant pullbacks during this ongoing bull market, yet it has rebounded each time, now achieving an impressive 809% gain: One factor that virtually guarantees that gold and silver will continue to rise over the long run is the non-stop surge of the U.S. and global money supply, which is what fuels inflation. 

No president in modern history has ever addressed this elephant in the room, nor do I expect Trump to. The best bet is to expect this trend to continue during Trump’s term and beyond. In conclusion, while gold and silver are experiencing a temporary pullback, history shows that all major bull markets have corrections along the way—and they often emerge stronger. 

Just as the S&P 500, Bitcoin, Apple, and Nvidia have recovered from significant downturns to reach new highs, precious metals are also consolidating before their next upward movement. 

The relentless expansion of the U.S. money supply and rising global debt remain fundamental forces driving the gold and silver long-term uptrend. Now is the time to remain calm and take advantage of this consolidation phase to accumulate more physical gold and silver.

Rather than being discouraged by adverse short-term price movements, let’s focus on the bigger picture: a powerful uptrend that points to substantial gains for gold and silver in the years ahead. Continue reading →

Gold Stumbles but Doesn’t Sink After Trump Re-Election, JPMorgan Sees Staying Power JPMorgan’s Commodities Research team sees the post-election fall … Continue reading →

Precious metals faced a challenging day following Donald Trump’s U.S. presidential election victory. Despite that, gold and silver’s bull market … Continue reading →

Renowned investor Lobo Tiggre forecasts a surge in gold and silver prices, driven by economic uncertainty, inflation, and geopolitical tensions. … Continue reading →

In a recent interview on the Money Metals podcast, host Mike Maharrey sat down with Peter Krauth, a seasoned precious metals expert and author of The Great Silver Bull.

During their discussion, Krauth shared valuable insights on the current and future state of the silver market, highlighting its role as an undervalued investment, the dynamics of the gold-silver ratio, supply and demand challenges, and the potential impact of economic policy on precious metals.

(Interview Begins Around 6:34 Mark)[embedded content]

Peter Krauth

Peter Krauth is a seasoned metals analyst and expert in the resource market, with over 20 years of experience specializing in precious metals, mining, and energy stocks. He is the editor of the investment newsletter Silver Stock Investor, which focuses exclusively on silver investments.

Silver’s Price Trajectory: Perceptions vs. Reality

Krauth acknowledged the perception that silver lags behind gold in performance. While gold reached 38 new record highs this year, with prices rising by 38% since mid-February, silver has outperformed gold with a 46% gain during the same period. 

Krauth emphasized that while silver may often appear as a “laggard” early in a bull market, it historically outpaces gold in the long run, driven by industrial demand and investor interest during periods of market stress.

The Gold-Silver Ratio and What It Signals

The gold-silver ratio, hovering around 83 to 84:1 in recent months, is notably higher than the historical range of 40 to 60:1. This indicates that silver remains relatively undervalued compared to gold, a situation Krauth views as an opportunity for investors. 

Despite silver’s gains, the high ratio is partly maintained by gold’s strength and persistent investor interest. Krauth advised keeping a close eye on the gold-silver ratio, as it reinforces silver’s undervaluation and offers a potential entry point for long-term investors.

Supply Deficits: A Key Factor in Silver’s Potential Upswing

One of the more pressing issues Krauth discussed is the silver supply deficit. Over the past three years, silver demand has exceeded supply, driven by an expanding industrial demand—particularly in electronics, solar panels, and electric vehicles. The silver market operates with an annual supply of around 1 billion ounces, 85% from mining and 15% from recycling. 

Yet, annual demand has surged to 1.2 billion ounces, creating a 200-million-ounce shortfall, currently covered by existing stockpiles. Krauth predicts that these reserves will deplete within the next 12 to 18 months, which could result in supply constraints and significant price increases if demand remains high.

Industrial Demand: The Steady Floor Under Silver Prices

Industrial demand for silver is strong and growing, with uses across various fields. According to Sprott Investment Management, silver ranks second only to oil in terms of its global applications, spanning electronics, medical applications, and renewable energy. 

Notably, in 2024, industrial demand is expected to represent 70% of the total silver supply, up from 50% just a few years ago. With renewable energy mandates in many countries, demand from solar panel manufacturing alone accounts for over 20% of global silver consumption.

Parallels with Uranium: Potential for a Strong Price Rally

Krauth drew an intriguing comparison between silver and uranium markets. Like silver, uranium faced a period of high demand and limited supply, with secondary sources filling the gap until they dwindled, leading to a price surge from $23 to $83 per pound over three years. 

Krauth sees similar dynamics in silver, where above-ground stockpiles are shrinking, and new supply is limited. He anticipates a price rally in silver, propelled by industrial demand and the eventual depletion of available stockpiles.

Global Factors Influencing Silver: India and Russia

India’s surging silver demand also plays a critical role. The country recently cut import duties on silver, resulting in a fivefold increase in silver imports in Q3 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. India’s expanding solar panel production and cultural affinity for silver jewelry are driving this demand. 

Krauth also highlighted Russia’s decision to include silver in its national wealth fund, potentially to support domestic industries and accumulate silver as a strategic asset. Krauth views these developments as additional positive drivers for silver prices.

Policy and Precious Metals: Harris vs. Trump

Looking at the broader economic landscape, Krauth discussed how a potential presidency by either Harris or Trump might influence precious metals. He believes silver and gold are poised to rise regardless of who holds office, as government spending and debt continue to escalate. 

While a Harris administration may prioritize renewable energy initiatives that could bolster silver demand, a Trump presidency may favor deregulation and support for mining industries. Both scenarios, Krauth argues, would contribute to a bullish environment for precious metals.

Final Thoughts and The Great Silver Bull

In closing, Krauth recommended his book, The Great Silver Bull, which explores the factors driving the silver market and offers a generational investment perspective. Through short, digestible chapters, Krauth provides insights into silver’s economic fundamentals, its role in portfolio diversification, and strategic approaches for investing in both physical silver and mining stocks.

For those interested in precious metals, Krauth’s comprehensive analysis of silver’s unique market dynamics, historical context, and future potential offers a roadmap for understanding this often-overlooked asset. As the world faces rising demand for renewable energy and geopolitical shifts, silver stands as a compelling investment with substantial growth potential.

Key Questions & Answers 

 Here are the key questions and answers from the podcast interview between Mike Maharrey and Peter Krauth:

Is silver a laggard compared to gold?

Yes, silver is often perceived as a laggard in bull markets, but it ultimately outperforms gold, especially in the later stages of a bull market. Despite gold reaching record highs this year, silver has actually outpaced gold in percentage terms, with a 46% increase since February compared to gold’s 38% gain. Silver tends to be back-end loaded in bull markets, where its performance accelerates toward the end.

How does the gold-silver ratio affect the silver market?

The high gold-silver ratio, recently around 83 to 84:1, indicates that silver remains undervalued compared to gold. This is an opportunity for investors, as silver is historically undervalued when the ratio is high. The high ratio reinforces silver’s appeal as a long-term investment and reflects its relative affordability against gold.

What impact does the silver supply deficit have on future prices?

With silver demand outstripping supply by 200 million ounces annually, covered by existing stockpiles, there are significant price increases likely once above-ground reserves are depleted. These reserves may run out within the next 12 to 18 months, creating the potential for a price rally, especially if demand from industrial uses remains high.

How does industrial demand influence silver prices?

Industrial demand for silver is strong and rising, accounting for around 70% of supply in 2024, compared to 50% in previous years. Silver is essential in electronics, solar panels, electric vehicles, and medical applications, creating a steady demand base. This robust industrial demand will provide a stable floor under silver prices.

Are there similarities between the silver and uranium markets?

There are similarities between silver and uranium markets, where high demand and limited supply eventually led to a price surge in uranium. Similar dynamics are seen in silver, with above-ground stockpiles being drawn down and limited new supply, which could lead to a significant price rally for silver in the future.

How is India influencing the silver market?

India has become a major silver buyer, recently reducing import duties, which led to a fivefold increase in Q3 2023 silver imports compared to 2022. India’s demand for silver is driven by industrial uses like solar panels, cultural jewelry demand, and its bargain-hunting culture as gold prices rise.

What does Russia’s inclusion of silver in its wealth fund mean for the market?

Russia’s decision to include silver in its wealth fund is strategic, possibly to support its domestic industries and accumulate a valuable asset. This move may restrict silver supply on the global market and reflects the geopolitical importance some countries place on silver.

How would a Harris or Trump presidency affect silver and gold markets?

Both candidates would likely drive precious metals prices higher due to continued government spending. A Harris administration may increase renewable energy demand, benefiting silver, while a Trump presidency may favor deregulation and support mining industries. Either outcome would likely have a positive impact on precious metals.

Why should investors consider Krauth’s book, The Great Silver Bull?

The book explores silver as a “generational opportunity” and provides insights into its economic fundamentals, investment potential, and strategies for physical silver and mining stocks. Written in a straightforward, accessible format, it helps investors understand silver’s market dynamics and the factors that influence its long-term value. Continue reading →

“Silver dump after Trump news? Think again! Analysis shows broader market dynamics at play as silver-to-commodities ratio tests 2011 high … Continue reading →