- Silver price moves higher to near $32.40 as bond yields trade cautiously ahead of the US NFP data for January.
- Investors expect the US economy to have added 170K workers last month.
- Upbeat US labor market data would force traders to raise bets supporting the Fed to keep interest rates steady for longer.
Silver price (XAG/USD) climbs to near $32.40 in European trading hours on Friday. The white metal gains as the US Dollar (USD) and bond yields tick lower ahead of the United States (US) Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) data for January, which will be published at 13:30 GMT.
Investors will focus on employment data to gauge the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) monetary policy outlook. On Thursday, Dallas Fed Bank President Lorie Logan said she would support holding interest rates at their current levels until the “labor market doesn’t falter.”
The US NFP report is expected to show that 170K fresh workers were added to the labor force in January, fewer than 256K in December. The Unemployment Rate is estimated to have remained steady at 4.1%. Signs of strong labor demand would boost market expectations that the Fed will keep interest rates in their current range of 4.25%- 4.50% for longer. Such a scenario would be unfavorable for the Silver price.
Investors will also focus on the Average Hourly Earnings data, which is a key measure of wage growth. On year, the wage growth measure is expected to have decelerated to 3.8% from 3.9% in December.
Ahead of the US NFP, the US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the Greenback’s value against six major currencies, trades subduedly around 107.70. 10-year US Treasury yields tick lower to near 4.43%.
Silver technical analysis
Silver price strives to break above the immediate resistance of $32.50, which is plotted from the December 9 high. The outlook of the white metal remains bullish as the 20-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) is sloping higher near $30.90.
The 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) oscillates in the 60.00-80.00 range, suggesting that the momentum is bullish.
Looking down, the upward-sloping trendline from the August 8 low of $26.45 will be the key support for the Silver price around $29.50. While, the October 31 high of $33.90 will be the key barrier.
Silver daily chart
Silver FAQs
Silver is a precious metal highly traded among investors. It has been historically used as a store of value and a medium of exchange. Although less popular than Gold, traders may turn to Silver to diversify their investment portfolio, for its intrinsic value or as a potential hedge during high-inflation periods. Investors can buy physical Silver, in coins or in bars, or trade it through vehicles such as Exchange Traded Funds, which track its price on international markets.
Silver prices can move due to a wide range of factors. Geopolitical instability or fears of a deep recession can make Silver price escalate due to its safe-haven status, although to a lesser extent than Gold's. As a yieldless asset, Silver tends to rise with lower interest rates. Its moves also depend on how the US Dollar (USD) behaves as the asset is priced in dollars (XAG/USD). A strong Dollar tends to keep the price of Silver at bay, whereas a weaker Dollar is likely to propel prices up. Other factors such as investment demand, mining supply – Silver is much more abundant than Gold – and recycling rates can also affect prices.
Silver is widely used in industry, particularly in sectors such as electronics or solar energy, as it has one of the highest electric conductivity of all metals – more than Copper and Gold. A surge in demand can increase prices, while a decline tends to lower them. Dynamics in the US, Chinese and Indian economies can also contribute to price swings: for the US and particularly China, their big industrial sectors use Silver in various processes; in India, consumers’ demand for the precious metal for jewellery also plays a key role in setting prices.
Silver prices tend to follow Gold's moves. When Gold prices rise, Silver typically follows suit, as their status as safe-haven assets is similar. The Gold/Silver ratio, which shows the number of ounces of Silver needed to equal the value of one ounce of Gold, may help to determine the relative valuation between both metals. Some investors may consider a high ratio as an indicator that Silver is undervalued, or Gold is overvalued. On the contrary, a low ratio might suggest that Gold is undervalued relative to Silver.
Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.
If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.
FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.
The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.
Recommended content
Editors’ Picks
AUD/USD remains confined in a familiar range ahead of Australian CPI
AUD/USD ticks higher during the Asian session on Wednesday and stalls the sharp pullback from a fresh YTD top touched the previous day. Hopes for a trade deal remain supportive of a positive risk tone and support the pair amid subdued USD demand. However, mixed signals regarding US-China trade talks act as a headwind for the Aussie.
USD/JPY consolidates above 142.00 as traders keenly await BoJ policy update
USD/JPY struggles to capitalize on the previous day's modest uptick and oscillates in a narrow band on Wednesday as traders move to the sidelines ahead of the crucial BoJ policy meeting. The divergent BoJ-Fed expectations and trade-related uncertainties support the JPY and cap the pair amid the underlying USD bearish sentiment.
Gold drifts lower to near $3,310 ahead of key US data releases
Gold price extends the decline to near $3,315 during the early Asian session on Wednesday. The precious metal edges lower amid easing trade tensions and better risk sentiment in global markets. Traders will keep an eye on the US ADP Employment Change, PCE and the flash Q1 GDP reports later on the day.
Australia CPI expected to show inflation eased further in Q1, backing case for more rate cuts
Australia will release multiple inflation figures on Wednesday and financial markets anticipate price pressures easing further at the beginning of 2025, paving the way for additional Reserve Bank of Australia interest rate cuts.
May flashlight for the FOMC blackout period – Waiting for the fog to lift
We expect the FOMC will leave its target range for the federal funds rate unchanged at 4.25-4.50% at its upcoming meeting on May 6-7, a view widely shared by financial markets and economists. Market pricing currently implies only a 9% probability of the FOMC cutting the fed funds rate by 25 bps.
The Best brokers to trade EUR/USD
SPONSORED Discover the top brokers for trading EUR/USD in 2025. Our list features brokers with competitive spreads, fast execution, and powerful platforms. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, find the right partner to navigate the dynamic Forex market.