It’s called the “Oklahoma Land Rush,” and it’s a fascinating story from U.S. history that I’ve related to some of you before.
It was just before noon, April 22, 1889, and tens of thousands of folks were spread across an Oklahoma hillside. Some were on horseback, others sat atop wagons and many were on foot.
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Silver coin sales are at near-record highs, but premiums are soaring. American Silver Eagles are selling at $22 on eBay - a 35% premium over the spot silver price.
Many investors have taken refuge from higher premiums in silver ETFs - but not all silver ETFs are created equal.
If you're looking to buy silver, the first question to answer is, should I buy physical silver or paper silver?
Both investments let you profit from silver's price moves. To decide which one is best for you, you need to answer some questions about your investment goals.
To help, here's a closer look at each way to play the white metal.
The silver price today moved solidly higher in morning trading following some positive economic data out of China.
July Comex silver traded up $0.392, or 1.26%, at $19.73, after the preliminary HSBC China manufacturing purchasing managers index (PMI) for May came in at 49.7. That was up from 48.1 in April, and was the best reading in five months.
It's like Money Morning Global Resources Specialist Peter Krauth has been saying: A low silver price doesn't scare away investors; it draws them in.
As silver prices slumped 36% in 2013, retail investors took advantage of the dips and sent physical silver demand up 13% to an all-time high, according to World Silver Survey 2014.
Here's what else is moving demand for physical silver today...
After rising as much as 16% earlier this year, silver prices are now nearly unchanged year-to-date. They're up just 0.2%, while gold has gained 7.2%.
The silver price isn't the only number that's lagging...
Silver's option activity sits near a decade low. That's highly unusual - and won't last.
In fact, the low activity suggests some big changes ahead for the white metal…
The silver price was modestly higher Friday amid mounting geopolitical tensions that have stoked bullish options activity.
In early afternoon trading, spot silver was last up $0.03, or 0.15%, at 19.78 an ounce. The metal traded as low as $19.57 and as high as $19.92 in another volatile session.
Silver prices spiked some 2%, or $0.51, to $20.49 an ounce intraday Thursday before closing the session up $0.37 to $20.14 an ounce.
The gains came as the U.S. stock markets sold off sharply. Stocks sank even after the Labor Department reported U.S. weekly jobless claims dropped to a seven-year low, a sign of ongoing recovery in the labor market and the economy.
But what we care about is the big picture.
Spot silver prices rose $0.07, or 0.4%, to $19.86 an ounce midday Monday as precious metal traders and investors gear up for a busy week ahead.
Market participants remain guarded, with a spate of U.S. economic data flooding in as the week wears on. Capping the busy week will be Friday's closely watched March jobs report.
Meanwhile, Monday caps the end of 2014's first quarter.
Amid frenzied demand to buy and store silver, a Singapore retail supplier of coins and bars opened a new 600-metric-ton vault on Monday.
The sizable Silver Bullion Pte. Ltd. storage facility can hold some $390 million worth of silver (at Friday's prices of $20.33 per ounce). Known as The Safe House, the new facility is located west of Changi International Airport. At present, it keeps some 37 tons of silver, mostly for its retail clients, behind a secure 2.5-ton stainless door.
Silver prices today (Friday) were modestly higher as bargain hunters stepped up to buy the dips. In early trading, spot silver last traded up $0.11 to $20.45.
It's been a volatile and punishing week for silver.
In morning trading Thursday, silver futures for May delivery slumped 2.3% to $20.355 an ounce, on pace for the biggest drop since March 7.
Buoyed in early trading by a flight to safety amid simmering turmoil between Ukraine and Russia, silver prices today are showing signs of life.
In morning trading Friday, the price of silver rose $0.62, or 2.44%, at $21.89 an ounce. While the white metal slipped $0.148 Thursday to finish the session at $21.25 an ounce, the dip came on mild profit taking. Silver had a stellar showing Wednesday, ending up 2.66%, or $0.55, at $21.33.
Here's why this is an important catalyst for higher silver prices over the week...
Even though silver prices today (Friday) are down a relatively flat 0.59%, they're up more than 10% so far in February, and the rally won't end here.
This is where silver prices are heading in early 2014 - and how they're getting there...
Despite lower silver prices, Vancouver's Pan American Silver Corp. (Nasdaq: PAAS) reported strong earnings yesterday (Thursday) that sent its shares soaring 6.28% over the day - and up to an 8.35% gain through Friday.
At first glance, Pan American's story may appear grim. In 2013, silver prices fell 35.7%, and Pan American shares fell right alongside, for a remarkably similar 35.57% loss across the year.
Thursday's earnings posted a net loss of $293.1 million, or $1.94 per share, during Q4 2013.
A number of penny stocks showed investors some love today (Friday) with huge share-price climbs.
While the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose just under 1% by 2 p.m., these hot penny stocks were up double digits.
Silver, like gold, has had a difficult year. After sliding 36.3% in 2013, the precious metal ended January down 4%. But at the same time, there have been signs that a turnaround is in the offing. Yesterday silver edged up 1%, and
Let's face it, 2013 was rough on silver.
The precious metal started out the year at $31, and ended at $19.50, continuing an overall slump dating back roughly to mid-2011.
That, however, obscures a massive run, like gold, that silver embarked on in 2001 when it was near $4, eventually topping out around $49 in April 2011. At its peak it generated a return of 1,091%.
