LONDON, March 11, 2026, 17:20 GMT
Silver spot prices dropped 4.1% to $84.82 an ounce as of 1600 GMT on Wednesday, erasing a chunk of Tuesday’s rally. The dollar’s advance and renewed inflation fears put pressure on the metals complex. Gold was down 0.5%; platinum, off 1.1%; palladium, down 1.5%. “Bullion’s caught in a ‘push-and-pull’—safe-haven flows from war on one side, the prospect of higher-for-longer rates on the other,” said Peter Grant, vice president and senior metals strategist at Zaner Metals. Reuters
Silver’s slide isn’t all about investor nerves. Beyond its safe-haven status, the metal plays a critical role in everything from electronics to solar panels and EVs. The Silver Institute flagged a sixth consecutive year of structural deficit just last month — that’s industry code for demand outstripping supply — despite some cooling in industrial appetite.
U.S. inflation numbers out Wednesday offered no relief. Consumer prices climbed 0.3% in February, putting the annual rise at 2.4%. Core inflation, which strips out food and energy, gained 0.2% in the month. The Federal Reserve’s next meeting is set for March 17-18. With rates likely to remain elevated, non-yielding metals often lose some shine.
Tuesday looked very different: spot silver jumped 2.7% to $89.39, helped by a weaker dollar and a retreat in oil prices. Back then, Bart Melek, global head of commodity strategy at TD Securities, pointed out that investors were warming up to the idea that the “debasement trade may be re-energizing.” That optimism ran into stronger resistance from the dollar and interest rates just a day later. Reuters
Wednesday brought oil back into focus, with Brent crude jumping roughly 4% to trade close to $91 a barrel. Concerns over possible threats to fuel shipments via the Strait of Hormuz kept markets on edge. Brian Jacobsen, chief economist at Annex Wealth Management, flagged the risk: “instead of deflation from energy, we will get inflation.” Reuters
Silver tends to swing more sharply than gold. Back in January, the metal shot past $100 an ounce, fueled by retail enthusiasm and momentum trades. StoneX’s Rhona O’Connell described the surge as a “self-propelled frenzy,” warning of “flashing amber wealth warnings.” Reuters
The pullback was swift. Silver surged to an all-time high of $121.60 on Jan. 29, only to drop over 25% the following day. Saxo Bank’s Ole Hansen called it a “massive, massive retail frenzy” driving the move. On the other hand, BofA strategist Michael Widmer sees silver’s fair value closer to $60. Reuters
The market’s focus shifts to Friday’s release of the U.S. personal consumption expenditures price index, or PCE—a favored inflation metric for the Fed. If the number lands on the softer side, silver might find its footing after sliding Wednesday. But if inflation proves sticky once again, the metal faces renewed dollar pressure and likely more selling.
