SLV ETF Inflows Surge as Silver Prices Reach 13-Year High

The silver market is witnessing a remarkable surge in both investor attention and price movement, as inflows into the iShares Silver Trust (SLV) reach their highest levels in years. The rally, driven by economic uncertainty, industrial demand, and momentum in precious metals, has sparked renewed enthusiasm around silver as both a safe-haven asset and an industrial commodity.

The price of silver has climbed sharply in recent weeks, with SLV trading around $33—up over 25% from its 2025 low. Investors are pouring capital into silver-backed exchange-traded funds, with SLV recording more than $450 million in inflows during the first week of June alone. This figure represents a dramatic leap from the previous week’s $92 million, signaling a rapid shift in investor sentiment. The fund’s total assets have now surpassed $17 billion, underscoring silver’s growing appeal on the global stage.

The recent surge in silver has been fueled by multiple factors. First, the metal is riding the coattails of a broader rally in precious metals. With gold hitting record highs, many investors are turning to silver as a more affordable alternative that still offers the benefits of portfolio diversification and inflation hedging. The gold-to-silver ratio—a measure of how many ounces of silver it takes to buy an ounce of gold—has dropped from 106 to around 92, indicating silver’s relative strength and growing demand.

Industrial demand is also playing a crucial role. As global manufacturing shows signs of recovery, silver consumption for electronics, solar panels, and other industrial uses is picking up pace. This dual nature of silver, serving both as an investment asset and an essential material in industrial processes, gives it unique upward momentum in uncertain markets.

Technical indicators support the bullish outlook. SLV has broken past key resistance levels, and analysts are noting continued strength above both its 50-day and 100-day exponential moving averages. Momentum indicators such as the Relative Strength Index and MACD also point to sustained buying pressure, suggesting the rally may have room to run.

Market watchers are now focusing on upcoming U.S. inflation data and Federal Reserve decisions, which could further influence precious metals. If expectations of rate cuts materialize, silver could benefit from a weakening dollar and lower opportunity costs compared to interest-bearing assets.

Despite the optimism, analysts caution that the silver market remains volatile. Geopolitical risks, economic shifts, or sudden reversals in investor sentiment could affect prices. Still, the sharp rise in ETF inflows and industrial demand shows silver’s growing role in portfolios looking for both protection and performance.