This column emphasizes JWR's "tangibles heavy" investing strategy and contrarian perspective. Today, we look at the volatile global silver market. (See the Precious Metals section.)

Precious Metals:

In modern times, silver has been known for more volatile price swings than gold. This week was no exception. From Friday, August 1st to Thursday, August 7, spot silver climbed from $36.63 to $38.53 per Troy ounce. In my estimation, as of 2025, silver still holds the potential for greater gain than gold. But brace yourself for a rollercoaster ride. While gold may gradually gain 10% versus the US Dollar before December of 2026, I expect silver to gain as much as 25%. But be prepared to witness 10% silver price swings in some months.  The reason is simple: Silver is a much smaller, "thinner" market, and it is heavily manipulated by short sellers.  If you've watched the weekly price action in silver for the past 18 months, you've noticed that in many weeks, the Asian Longs are consistent buyers, driving up silver on Mondays and Tuesdays, but then American Shorts push it down on most Thursdays and Fridays. The silver market arbitrageurs ("arbs") are not blind to this weekly cycle, and they almost surely have been profiting from it, repeatedly. But, again, the long-term prospects for silver are quite solid. Mark my words: A big silver short squeeze is inevitable. When that happens, the Shorts will lose control, and their wicked price manipulation game will end abruptly. – JWR