Silver — Full Analysis

Analysis date: 2026-03-13 | Source: silver-2026-03-13.md

Meta

FieldValue
AssetSilver
ClassPrecious Metal / Industrial Metal (Hybrid)
Ticker-
RelatedSLV (iShares Silver Trust ETF), PSLV (Sprott Physical Silver Trust), GLD (Gold ETF — correlated), GDX (Gold Miners), SILJ (Junior Silver Miners), SIL (Global X Silver Miners ETF), XAU_USD (gold spot), DXY (US Dollar — inverse)
Analysis Date2026-03-13
Data Freshness2026-03-13T11:00:00Z

Track Validity

trackcreatedlastValidatedvalidFromvalidTotradingDayscalendarDays
Fundamental2026-03-13T10:30:00Z2026-03-13T10:30:00Z2026-03-132026-04-152433
Technical2026-03-13T12:00:00Z2026-03-13T12:00:00Z2026-03-132026-03-271014
Regime------
Market Structure2026-03-13T09:50:00Z2026-03-13T09:50:00Z2026-03-132026-04-303548

Unified Events

idnameparentcategorytemporalStaterealizationStatusvaluetrendsignificancedirectionmagnitudedurationprobabilityconfidencedatestartDateprojectedEndleadTimeleadTimeBasissourceTypelastUpdatedtopicssourcesevidenceForevidenceAgainstleadTimeEvidencereferences
EV001COMEX registered inventory at record low 88.78M oz-supplypresentconfirmed88.78M ozdeclininghighbullishmajorsustained-high2026-03-092020-04-01---llm-search2026-03-13inventory,supply,comex,physicalS001SF001,SF002,SF003,SF004--EV006
EV002Byproduct supply constraint (~75% of silver from copper/zinc)-supplypresentconfirmed75%stablehighbullishmajorstructural-high2026-03-13----llm-search2026-03-13supply,mining,byproductS002SF013,SF014,SF015--EV003
EV003Grasberg copper mine force majeure-supply----mediumbullishmoderateshort-------llm-search2026-03-13------
EV004Chile copper mine disruptions (Las Bambas, Capstone, El Teniente)-supply----lowbullishminortransient-------llm-search2026-03-13------
EV005China smelter output cuts ~10% planned-supply----mediumbullishmoderatesustained-------llm-search2026-03-13------
EV00667M oz structural market deficit (6th consecutive year)-supplypresentconfirmed67M oz deficitstablehighbullishmajorstructural-high2026-03-132021-01-012026-12-31--llm-search2026-03-13supply,demand,deficit,structuralS003SF011,SF012--EV001,EV009
EV007Primary silver mine supply flat-supply----lowneutralminorstructural-------llm-search2026-03-13------
EV008Chile 13 copper projects advancing-supply----lowbearishminorsustained-------llm-search2026-03-13------
EV009Solar/PV demand ~160M oz forecast for 2026-demandpresentconfirmed160M ozacceleratinghighbullishmajorstructural-high2026-03-132020-01-01---llm-search2026-03-13demand,solar,industrial,structuralS004SF005,SF006,SF007SF008,SF009-EV017
EV010US solar capacity +70 GW forecast 2026-2027-demand----mediumbullishmoderatesustained-------llm-search2026-03-13------
EV011EV/5G structural demand growth-demand----mediumbullishmoderatestructural-------llm-search2026-03-13------
EV012Total industrial demand ~690M oz (55% of total)-demand----highbullishmajorstructural-------llm-search2026-03-13------
EV013Gold/silver ratio at 59.6:1 (below 65-75 avg)-demand----mediumneutralminorshort-------llm-search2026-03-13------
EV014Gold trading at ~$5,110 (supporting precious complex)-demandpresentconfirmed$5,110stablehighbullishmoderatesustained-high2026-03-13----llm-search2026-03-13gold,precious-metals,correlationS005---EV013
EV015China copper imports -16.1% YoY (Jan-Feb)-demand----mediumbearishmoderateshort-------llm-search2026-03-13------
EV016China Manufacturing PMI 49.0 (contraction)-demandpresentconfirmed49.0decliningmediumbearishmoderateshort-medium2026-03-042026-02-01---llm-search2026-03-13demand,china,industrial,pmiS006SF016SF017-EV015
EV017China solar substitution to copper (Longi, Jinko, Aiko)-demandfutureannouncedQ2 2026acceleratingmediumbearishmoderatesustained70%medium2026-03-132026-04-012026-12-311-3 monthsCompany announcementsllm-search2026-03-13demand,solar,substitution,copperS007SF008,SF009SF010Longi, Jinko, Aiko announcementsEV009
EV018US Non-Farm Payrolls -92,000 (Feb)-demand----lowbearishminorshort-------llm-search2026-03-13------
EV019Safe-haven rotation from gold visible-demand----lowbullishminortransient-------llm-search2026-03-13------
EV020VIX elevated ~30+ (stagflation fear)-demand----lowbearishminortransient-------llm-search2026-03-13------

Sources

idsourceauthortypedatequoteaudiencecredibilityimpactreferences
S001CME Group-exchange-report2026-03-09COMEX registered silver: 88.78M ozpublichighDirect inventory dataEV001
S002Silver Institute-industry-report2026-01-15Approximately 75% of silver supply is from byproduct productionpublichighStructural supply constraintEV002
S003Silver Institute-industry-report2026-02-202026 market deficit forecast at 67M ozpublichighStructural deficit continuesEV006
S004BloombergNEF-research-report2026-03-01Solar sector silver demand ~160M oz for 2026publichighStructural demand driverEV009
S005Oanda-market-data2026-03-13XAU_USD: $5,110.50publichighGold price supportEV014
S006NBS China-government-report2026-03-04Manufacturing PMI: 49.0publichighIndustrial demand weaknessEV016
S007Reuters-news-report2026-02-28Longi, Jinko announce copper-based solar cell mass production Q2 2026publicmediumPotential silver substitutionEV017

Sub-Factors

idsubFactorparenttypevalueEvidencestatusleadTimestartDateprojectedEndlastUpdatedsourcesreferences
SF001Registered inventory at 88.78M oz (lowest on record)EV001actionCME data shows -25.6M oz draw in 30 daysconfirmed-2020-04-01-2026-03-13S001EV001
SF002March delivery 52.6M oz standing for deliveryEV001action10,526 contracts standing per CMEconfirmed-2026-03-012026-03-312026-03-13S001EV001
SF003Stress index 84/88 (standing/registered ratio)EV001action52.6M oz vs 86-89M oz creates near-default conditionsconfirmed---2026-03-13-EV001
SF00464% decline from 2020 peak of 240M ozEV001actionHistorical comparison verifiedconfirmed---2026-03-13-EV001
SF005Global solar installations growing 20-30%/yearEV009deploymentIEA/BloombergNEF forecastsconfirmed-2020-01-01-2026-03-13S004EV009
SF006Each GW of solar requires ~20-30 tonnes silverEV009capabilityIndustry standard silver loading per panelconfirmed---2026-03-13-EV009
SF007US +70 GW solar capacity 2026-2027EV009deploymentEIA/BloombergNEF forecastconfirmed---2026-03-13-EV009
SF008Longi, Jinko, Aiko transitioning to copper-intentionAnnounced plans for back-contact cells; mass production Q2 2026partial1-3 months2026-04-012026-12-312026-03-13S007-
SF009Mass production Q2 2026-deploymentFuture date; not yet verifiedunvalidated---2026-03-13--
SF010Only affects back-contact cell type-constraintTraditional PERC cells still require silverconfirmed---2026-03-13--
SF0116th consecutive deficit year since 2021-actionSilver Institute annual reportsconfirmed---2026-03-13--
SF012Industrial + solar demand outpacing mine supply-capabilityStructural mismatch documentedconfirmed---2026-03-13--
SF013~75% of silver comes from copper/zinc mining-constraintSilver Institute dataconfirmed---2026-03-13--
SF014Silver supply responds to copper/zinc prices, not silver-constraintEconomic relationship documentedconfirmed---2026-03-13--
SF015Grasberg copper force majeure reduces byproduct-actionBlock Cave closed until Q2 2026confirmed---2026-03-13--
SF016Second consecutive contraction-actionNBS official data released Mar 4confirmed---2026-03-13--
SF017RatingDog PMI 52.1 diverges positively-actionAlternative measure shows expansionconfirmed---2026-03-13--
SF018Current ratio below 65-75 historical average-actionCalculated from $5,110 gold / $85.12 silverconfirmed---2026-03-13--
SF019Silver "rich" vs gold at current levels-precedentHistorical mean-reversion patternconfirmed---2026-03-13--

Positions

idcohortparticipantTypedirectionentryPricecurrentPnlvolumepurposethesisentryDatestopLosstakeProfitconfidencemethodreferences
PO001Institutional Investorshedge-fundshort$90-120-15% to -30%highdirectionalFast down velocity (42%), selling into rallies, post-ATH distribution pattern. Velocity ratio 0.70 indicates persistent selling pressure. However, magnitude decreasing suggests position reduction nearing completion.2025-12-01--highvelocity-inferenceEV001
PO002Commercial Hedgersproducershort$85-95profitablemediumhedgingLikely adding hedges at elevated levels ($85-95). Silver miners and industrial users typically hedge aggressively after parabolic moves. Price behavior near $90 shows increased selling resistance.2026-01-15--mediumcot-inferenceEV001
PO003SpeculatorsctamixedmixedmixedhighmomentumHigh volume on both directions. Contributing to fast moves in both directions. COT data historically shows managed money extended long at ATH — likely reduced but still net-long positioning. Attracted to volatility.various--mediumvolatility-inference-
PO004Retail Investorsretaillong$90-120-15% to -40%mediuminvestmentSlow upward velocity (35%) suggests steady dip-buying. Physical silver premiums remain elevated. Social media "silver squeeze" narrative still active. Many entries at $90-120 now underwater.2025-11-01--highpremium-inferenceEV001

Influence Weights

entitytypeweightbasisconfidencelastUpdatedreferences
EV001event25%Most acute near-term catalyst. March delivery stress index 84/88 creates potential squeeze conditions. Physical tightness is the dominant narrative driving price action in a market transitioning from parabolic surge.high2026-03-13EV001,SF001,SF002,SF003,SF004
EV009event18%Fastest growing structural demand driver at ~15% of total demand and rising. 20-30% annual growth in solar installations creates persistent demand floor that outpaces supply growth.high2026-03-13EV009,SF005,SF006,SF007
EV006event15%Sixth consecutive deficit year reinforces the structural supply-demand imbalance. Cumulative deficits compound over time, drawing down above-ground stocks.high2026-03-13EV006,SF011,SF012
-event12%Silver's beta to gold (1.5-2x) makes gold price action the primary directional driver for the precious metal component (~45% of demand). Gold at $5,110 supports silver floor.-2026-03-13-
EV002event10%Structural supply inelasticity means silver production doesn't respond to silver prices. Creates amplified price moves in both directions when demand shifts. Copper mine disruptions (Grasberg, Chile) compound the constraint.high2026-03-13EV002,SF013,SF014,SF015
EV017event7%Partial offset to solar demand growth. Mass production Q2 2026 but only affects back-contact cells; PERC cells still silver-intensive. Medium-term demand risk.medium2026-03-13EV017,SF008,SF009,SF010
EV016event5%Industrial demand softness signal, but conflicting with RatingDog PMI 52.1. China is ~20% of silver demand; contraction creates headwind.medium2026-03-13EV016,SF016,SF017
EV013event4%Below historical average (65-75) limits upside from ratio compression trade. Silver is "rich" vs gold; no catch-up trade available.-2026-03-13EV013
EV011event3%Emerging demand segment growing but still small (~3-5% of demand). Long-term structural tailwind.-2026-03-13EV011
EV008event1%Long-dated supply offset (2026-2027 startups). Minor bearish impact at current stage.-2026-03-13EV008

Synthesis

FieldValue
Overall Biasmildly bullish
Confidencemedium
Time Horizon2-6 weeks
Key DriverEV001: COMEX inventory stress — 88.78M oz registered vs 52.6M oz March delivery standing (stress index 84/88)
Key RiskChina industrial demand weakness (EV016) + solar substitution to copper (EV017) accelerating faster than expected

Key Drivers

rankidnametypewhy
1EV001COMEX registered inventory at record low 88.78M ozunified-event25%% influence weight. Most acute near-term catalyst. March delivery stress index 84/88 creates potential squeeze conditions. Physical tightness is the dominant narrative driving price action in a market transitioning from
2EV009Solar/PV demand ~160M oz forecast for 2026unified-event18%% influence weight. Fastest growing structural demand driver at ~15% of total demand and rising. 20-30% annual growth in solar installations creates persistent demand floor that outpaces supply growth.
3EV00667M oz structural market deficitunified-event15%% influence weight. Sixth consecutive deficit year reinforces the structural supply-demand imbalance. Cumulative deficits compound over time, drawing down above-ground stocks.
4-Gold trading at ~$5,110 (gold price support)unified-event12%% influence weight. Silver's beta to gold (1.5-2x) makes gold price action the primary directional driver for the precious metal component (~45% of demand). Gold at $5,110 supports silver floor.
5EV002Byproduct supply constraint (~75%)unified-event10%% influence weight. Structural supply inelasticity means silver production doesn't respond to silver prices. Creates amplified price moves in both directions when demand shifts. Copper mine disruptions (Grasberg, Chile)

Scenarios

scenarioprobabilitypriceTargetkeyAssumptionkeyEvents
Base Case: Consolidation50%$78-92COMEX stress normalizes via EFP/rolling; China demand stabilizes; gold holds $4,900-5,200EV001,EV006,EV014
Bull Case: Squeeze Attempt25%$105-120March delivery fails to settle; gold breaks $5,300; physical demand surgeEV001,EV014
Bear Case: Industrial Collapse25%$65-72China recession deepens; gold breaks $4,800; solar substitution acceleratesEV016,EV017,EV015

Risks to View

idrisktriggerwouldChangeBiasTomonitoringSignal
R001China demand collapseChina PMI <48 for 2+ months; copper imports -20%+bearishMonthly PMI releases; China Customs trade data
R002COMEX stress resolutionMarch delivery settles via EFP; registered inventory stabilizesneutralCOMEX daily reports; delivery standing updates
R003Solar substitution accelerationLongi/Jinko copper cell volume exceeds forecastsbearishIndustry capacity announcements; silver loading per panel data
R004Gold breakdownGold breaks $4,800 supportbearishXAU_USD price action; real yield moves
R005Squeeze materializationDelivery failure; registered <50M ozstrongly bullishCME default notices; premium expansion

Monitoring Priorities

priorityiditemcheckFrequencynextChecktriggerCondition
1MP001COMEX registered silver inventorydaily2026-03-14Drop below 80M oz or stabilization above 95M oz
2MP002March delivery standingdaily2026-03-14Standing exceeds 55M oz or drops below 45M oz
3MP003Gold price (XAU_USD)daily2026-03-14Break below $4,900 or above $5,300
4MP004China Manufacturing PMImonthly2026-04-01Move below 48 or recovery above 50
5MP005Gold/silver ratioweekly2026-03-17Expansion above 65 or compression below 55
6MP006Solar substitution newsweekly2026-03-17Production volume announcements from Longi/Jinko

Price Attribution

No point-in-time snapshots generated yet.

Price Forecasts

idinstrumentforecastDatetargetDatetargetTimeframecompositePricecompositeLowcompositeHighcompositeConfidencestatusactualCloseerrorerrorPercentreferences
PF001XAG_USD2026-03-132026-04-1533 days8572105mediumactive---EV001,EV006,EV009,EV014,EV016,EV017

PF001

trackmethodpredictedPricepredictedLowpredictedHighconfidenceweightreasoningreferences
fundamentalsupply-demand-decomposition8572105medium0.3Net bullish fundamental balance (+17.5% influence weight). COMEX stress dominant. Fair value $82-88.EV001,EV006,EV009
technicalvelocity-pattern-analysis806496high0.9Bearish bias with stabilization. Lower high series confirmed. Primary target $80 support test.-