Gold and silver bounce back
The two main precious metals have recovered from their January dips, with gold up 27% over the last 12 months, and silver doubling in price.
The two main precious metals have recovered from their January dips. Gold has reached a seven-week high above $1,400 an ounce, marking a 27% increase over the last 12 months. But silver has doubled in a year, including a 14% jump last week. It has reached $33 an ounce, its highest level since early 1980. Like gold, silver has always been a safe haven from turmoil and currency debasement. Being cheaper, it's often known as "poor man's gold" and tends to "hang on gold's coat-tails", says Jamie Chisholm in the FT.
Silver has had an additional fillip because it is also an industrial metal. Industry accounts for over half of overall demand. As the silver market is about a tenth the size of the gold market, it's a lot more volatile, magnifying gold's move in either direction.
The latest uptick for both metals was due to the turmoil in the Middle East. However, political instability isn't the only reason that "gold and silver still make sense", says Tim Price of PFP Wealth Management. Thanks to governments' desperate efforts to reflate their economies, inflation remains
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE

Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
a danger.
Meanwhile, the debt crisis in Europe could soon break out again. Demand from Asia is also soaring, says FT Deutschland. Concerns over inflation fuelled a 70% jump in investment demand in China last year, and another strong rise is expected in 2011, according to the World Gold Council. Central banks became net buyers last year for the first time in years. So the precious metals' bull run isn't over.
Sign up for MoneyWeek's newsletters
Get the latest financial news, insights and expert analysis from our award-winning MoneyWeek team, to help you understand what really matters when it comes to your finances.
-
Are you one of 15 million people at risk of retirement poverty?
Two-fifths of people in the UK aren’t on track for a minimum lifestyle in retirement, new data shows. Are there steps you can take to boost your pension?
-
150 banking hubs now open across UK – is there one near you?
As the 150th banking hub opens its doors, a Post Office deal that offers basic banking services has also been extended until 2030. We explain what this means for you