Ashoka Global
Major Characteristics
  • Silver (Chemical Symbol-Ag) is a brilliant grey-white metal that is soft and malleable.
  • Silver has unique properties such as its strength, malleability, ductility, electrical and thermal conductivity, sensitivity, high reflectance of light, and reactivity.
  • The main source of silver is in lead ore, although it can also be found associated with copper, zinc and gold and produced as a by-product of base metal mining activities.
  • Secondary silver sources include coin melt, scrap recovery, and dis-hoarding from countries where export is restricted. Secondary sources are price sensitive.
  • Silver is unique amongst metals due to the fact that it can be classified as both a precious metal and an industrial metal.
  • Today, silver is sought as a valuable and practical industrial commodity and as an investment.
  • Silver is an important element of global monetary reserves.
  • It is an effective portfolio diversifier.
Global Scenario
  • Silver is predominantly traded on the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) and COMEX in New York.
  • LBMA, as the global hub of over-the-counter (OTC) trading in silver, is its main physical market. Comex is a futures and options exchange, where most fund activity is focused.
  • Silver is invariably quoted in the US dollars per troy ounce.
Factors Influencing the Market
  • Economic events such as national industrial growth, global financial crisis, recession, and inflation affect metal prices
  • Commodity-specific events such as the construction of new production facilities or processes, unexpected mine or plant closures, or industry restructuring, all affect metal prices.
  • Governments set trade policy (implementation or suspension of taxes, penalties, and quotas) that affect supply by regulating (restricting or encouraging) material flow.
  • Geopolitical events involving governments or economic paradigms and armed conflict can cause major changes.
  • A faster growth in demand against supply often leads to a drop in stocks with the government and investors.
  • Silver demand is underpinned by the demand from jewellery and silverware, industrial applications, and overall industrial growth.
  • In Singapore, silver demand is also determined to a large extent by its price level and volatility.
Measurement / Weight Conversion Table
Convert fromConvert ToMultiply by
Troy ouncesGrams31.1035
Million ouncesTonnes31.1035
GramsTroy ounces0.0321507