Silver Prices Surge 4% to $81.82 on Eased Tensions

Silver prices surged more than 4 percent on Friday, reclaiming the 81-dollar mark per troy ounce, as positive developments in the Middle East bolstered demand for precious metals. The advance came amid a weakening U.S. dollar following the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a second round of talks between the United States and Iran, which eased some geopolitical tensions. At the close of trading, silver stood at 81.82 dollars per ounce, marking its fourth consecutive weekly gain and reaching a five-week high of 83.06 earlier in the session.

This recent uptick occurs against a backdrop of persistent supply constraints in the global silver market. According to projections from the Silver Institute's World Silver Survey 2026, the market faces a sixth consecutive annual deficit, widening to 46.3 million ounces from 40.3 million ounces in 2025. Total supply is expected to decline by 2 percent, with mine production edging lower as operators adjust hedging strategies after last year's price increases. Recycling efforts are rising but remain insufficient to offset the gap. Since 2021, aboveground stocks have dwindled by a cumulative 762 million ounces, leaving physical inventories...