Silver's (XAG/USD) value, influenced by the Fed and potential government shutdown, faces challenges from rising global rates and a strong dollar.
The silver market (XAG/USD) is showing signs of resilience this Monday, rising slightly despite looming uncertainties in the American economic landscape. It’s evident that the metal’s value isn’t just tethered to industrial demand but is also a barometer for wider financial currents, including those driven by key policy decisions from institutions like the U.S. Federal Reserve.
While silver prices have been fluctuating, the shadows of potential U.S. interest rate hikes loom large. The imminent release of significant consumer inflation data adds another layer of unpredictability. Additionally, political tensions, underscored by the threat of a U.S. government shutdown, are casting their own influences on the market.
Domestically, the ongoing U.S. automakers’ strike and the unresolved government fiscal year budget have traders on edge. There’s a palpable concern in the market, corroborated by the SPDR Gold Trust – the world’s premier gold-backed ETF. Its holdings have plummeted to a low not seen since January 2020, highlighting diminishing investor interest in the face of these challenges. This news may be capping gains in silver.
Internationally, silver’s status as a non-yielding asset is being tested by rising interest rates. This trend, signposted by recent comments from Federal Reserve officials and reinforced by the robust dollar and soaring 10-year Treasury yields, threatens silver’s upward trajectory. Furthermore, global economic indicators, such as the Bank of Japan’s commitment to ultra-low interest rates and slowdowns in European economies, play pivotal roles in shaping silver’s path.
The anticipation is palpable as investors await the Fed’s preferred inflation metric, the PCE price index. Coupled with ongoing budget discussions in Washington, it sets the stage for an atmosphere of heightened uncertainty. Drawing from current market indicators and global economic forecasts, the near-term outlook for silver appears somewhat bearish. The precious metal’s trajectory seems hemmed in by a combination of national political uncertainties and impending interest rate adjustments.
Silver’s current 4-hour price of 23.54 shows a marginal rise from its preceding 4-hour mark of 23.48. As we examine the moving averages, the current price stands above both the 50-4H and the 200-4H moving averages, indicating a potential upward momentum.
The 14-4H RSI reading of 56.04 signifies strengthening momentum, being comfortably above the neutral point.
When observing support and resistance levels, the present price resides between the main support area (22.70 to 22.28) and the main resistance area (25.00 to 25.27). In light of the mentioned indicators, the market sentiment for silver seems moderately bullish in the near term.
James Hyerczyk is a U.S. based seasoned technical analyst and educator with over 40 years of experience in market analysis and trading, specializing in chart patterns and price movement. He is the author of two books on technical analysis and has a background in both futures and stock markets.