The cost of silver is consistently changing and ultimately it demonstrates the selling or buying interests in the metal. Given that the supply of silver, mainly by way of mining activities is relatively consistent, variations in marketplace demand will directly impact the silver price within a short time. If the market demand accelerates, the supply is not increased at the same speed, so the price will have to rise allowing the marketplace to balance. By understanding where the marketplace demand was produced from, we can obtain a better idea of how this will affect the silver price.

Where the Market demand for Silver Emanates From

Demand for physical silver arises from 5 main areas; industrial uses, photography, jewellery, silverware and silver bullion for investment. Of those sources, the majority are somewhat dependable demands that can be predicted based on past consumption. Marketplace demand for silver for investment however is notably harder to forecast and subjects the silver price to much greater variances in short amounts of time.

The demand for silver for investment comes in two main forms; physical silver bullion that makes up the lesser quantity of transactions and silver available as shares or ‘electronic silver’ that is exchanged in considerably larger quantities. The electronic silver bought and sold on a daily basis is in fact in huge proportions originating from direct investment in stocks and shares like Exchange Traded Funds (ETF’s) or in speculative trading where investors aim to estimate where the price tag on silver will be in the future.

The Stock exchange as an Indication

Simply by understanding the confidence traders have in the stock exchange, you'll be able to anticipate the marketplace demand movement for silver as an investment, that will in turn influence its price. Ultimately it will be the entire performance of the stock market that will demonstrate trader confidence levels. If the marketplace is performing well, investors will continue to invest in shares because this is where their return or gain will come from. Once the total market falls, this indicates confidence levels are down and investors are selling off their stocks to safeguard their wealth from loss.

In the event that investors sell off to avoid continued losses, they must be able to move their money to an alternative investment vehicle, as retaining it in paper money puts it at a sizable likelihood of sacrificing value through inflation. All through history it is gold and silver that were the most popular option for protecting wealth against economic uncertainty and that is relevant right now more than ever before. Precious metals possess an inbuilt worth that safeguards them against currency debasement and now the opportunity for capital growth as a result of increased demand is exceptional.

So if you would like to forecast the actual trends in the price of silver, keep an eye on what's occurring on the stock market. If stock values are down and the possibility for progression is not good, traders will sell off some of their poor performing shares from their portfolio and silver is a very likely investment option. Accelerated purchases in silver means an increase in value which means a nice gain for you should you have made a wise investment in silver already.

By: Michael J Anderson

http://www.buy-silver.com.au/