Silver is back in focus. At the beginning of May 2026, the price reached the psychologically important zone around 80 US dollars per troy ounce again and occasionally traded significantly above it. This alone makes headlines – but the more exciting question is: Is this already the beginning of a new trend phase or just a technically driven retracement after an extremely volatile spring?
Anyone who wants to understand silver must currently read two levels simultaneously: technical analysis and the macro story. And it is precisely this combination that makes silver so special – and so moody.
Several signals are currently converging around 80 US dollars. Reuters describes silver as "on the path to recovery" after the price had previously fallen sharply: from a record high around 121.64 US dollars in January to a March low around 60.94 US dollars.
When a market tests important resistance levels again after such a setback, traders and investors look particularly closely – not because of magic, but because positioning and risk are recalibrated at such points.
Currently, it is striking that silver has climbed back above relevant downward trend lines in recent weeks. Reuters also mentions a technically important level around 83.04 US dollars (April high) as resistance, the breach of which could significantly change the situation.
Many expect a simple logic with silver: "Gold rises, so silver rises." This is sometimes true – but right now, the reality is more complex.
Silver reacts simultaneously to interest rates, the dollar, risk sentiment, and industrial demand. This is the reason why movements are often faster and larger than with gold. While gold was trading at 4,731 US dollars per troy ounce on May 11, 2026, silver was at around 85.94 US dollars on the same day, according to Trading Economics.
The change in sentiment becomes even clearer in the gold-silver ratio: USAGOLD reported a ratio of around 55.30 on May 11, 2026. This is an indication that silver is gaining strength relative to gold – often a sign that the market is pricing in not just "safety," but also "economic/industrial activity."
The news situation in May is characterized by geopolitical uncertainty and energy risks. Aramco's CEO warns that a prolonged disruption of the Strait of Hormuz could weigh on the oil market until 2027; Reuters mentions a loss of about 100 million barrels per week and a sharp decline in tanker traffic.
At the same time, the Guardian reported a Brent price increase to 105.50 US dollars and a leveling off around 103.50 US dollars in the wake of new tensions.
What does this have to do with silver? Rising energy prices act as an inflation accelerator. And inflation influences interest rate expectations – exactly where a core factor for precious metals lies. Reuters describes for gold on May 11, 2026: Market participants are waiting for US inflation data, while geopolitical risks and oil prices shift interest rate expectations.
In this environment, silver hangs between two poles: as a "crisis metal," it benefits from uncertainty; as an "industrial metal," it reacts to growth expectations, supply chains, and investment cycles.
In addition to macro factors, the physical market structure plays a role in silver. The Silver Institute reports a global mine production of 819.7 million ounces for 2024.
At the same time, the World Silver Survey 2025 (Silver Institute/Metals Focus) describes a market deficit of 148.9 million ounces for 2024 and a record in industrial demand of 680.5 million ounces.
Deficits do not automatically mean "price must rise" – but they increase sensitivity. In tight markets, even small shifts in investment demand, ETF flows, or industrial orders are enough to move prices more strongly than in "comfortable" markets.
The current price range is not contested by chance. Fortune cites a silver price of 81.55 US dollars per ounce (08:45 ET) for May 7, 2026.
Trading Economics shows around 85.94 US dollars for May 11, 2026.
Reuters highlights the zone around the April high at 83.04 US dollars as a possible "threshold."
Whether this turns into a "50% rally" depends less on the headline and more on whether the market establishes a series of higher highs and higher lows – and whether the macro environment (oil/inflation/interest rates) confirms the direction.
| Metric | Value | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Silver (XAG), Spot | approx. 85.94 USD/oz | Strong rebound above the 80 USD zone |
| Gold (XAU), Spot | approx. 4,731 USD/oz | High price levels, focus on inflation & geopolitics |
| Gold-Silver Ratio | approx. 55.30 | Silver gaining strength relative to gold |
| Reuters Resistance | 83.04 USD/oz | April high as a technical threshold |
| Oil (Brent), intraday | up to 105.50 USD/bbl | Energy as an underlying inflation driver |
In 2026, silver is not a "quiet haven," but a market with pace. For this reason, it is worth looking not only at the price but at the logic behind it: interest rate expectations, energy shocks, geopolitical risks, and industrial demand act simultaneously.
At spar.gold, a simple principle applies: transparency and substance. Anyone interested in precious metals should understand the mechanics – and when making physical purchases, ensure that it is about actually available goods and transparent conditions.
In the end, a mnemonic remains that fits particularly well in this silver year: Price is a signal – volatility is reality.
Stay farsighted
Yours, Helge Peter Ippensen
