Silver Surges Close to 4%

Silver surged over 5% to trade near $82 per ounce on Friday as a retreat in the US dollar after a Supreme Court ruling against global tariffs boosted the metals safe haven and industrial appeal. The legal setback for the White House combined with escalating US-Iran tensions to reintroduce a risk premium that silver's volatility amplified. Prices extended a rebound as traders weighed soft Q4 GDP of 1.4% against sticky 3% core PCE which complicated the Fed's rate path while FOMC minutes showed policymakers divided. Despite initial thin liquidity during the Lunar New Year following the recent speculative blowoff, renewed participation is adding momentum as markets reopen. The metal is finding a stable technical base above the 80 dollar mark as it balances its role as a crisis hedge with industrial demand for solar and AI sectors. Silver is now on track for a strong weekly gain despite a cooling economy and persistent geopolitical shocks and a split FOMC.

Silver surged around 4% to trade above $80.5 per ounce, extending its rebound as geopolitical risk and shifting US macro expectations reignited both safe haven and industrial demand. Escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran—after President Donald Trump set a nuclear deadline and Iran warned of retaliation—reintroduced a risk premium that silver’s volatility amplified. Concurrently, soft Q4 GDP of 1.4% contrasted with firmer 3.0% core PCE, reinforcing uncertainty over the Fed’s path as FOMC minutes showed rifts and jobless claims held at 206K. This combination of moderating growth and sticky inflation has complicated real yield projections. While Lunar New Year thinned Asian liquidity following the recent blowoff and speculative unwind in Chinese futures, renewed participation as markets reopen is adding momentum. Silver is now stabilizing, balancing its safe-haven appeal against its critical industrial role.

Silver held above $78 per ounce on Friday, on track for its first weekly gain in four, supported by rising geopolitical tensions and thin trading volumes in Asia. Escalating US-Iran tensions intensified after President Donald Trump warned Tehran to reach an agreement on its nuclear program or face consequences, while Iran signaled potential retaliation against US bases if attacked. Commodity trading volumes remained subdued this week as major Asian markets, notably China, were closed for the Lunar New Year holidays. Silver and other precious metals had previously underwent a blowoff rally and a historic selloff due in large part to speculative activity among Chinese traders. Meanwhile, market participants awaited key US economic releases that could influence Federal Reserve policy. Minutes from the latest FOMC meeting revealed policymakers were split on the rate outlook, with some signaling further hikes could be warranted if inflation remains elevated.