Silver News: Institutional Investment Pushes Price Higher; US Jewelry Sales Robust

The Silver Institute has released the April issue of Silver News. This edition highlights rising silver prices pushed by strong institutional investment.

The price of silver had increased by about 11% as of April 25. According to the Silver Institute, improving sentiment among institutional investors has helped drive up the price.

Changing expectations towards the outlook for U.S. interest rates and the proliferation of negative policy rates across other key reserve currencies has

rekindled institutional investor interest in precious metals. Meanwhile, a marked improvement in silver industrial offtake, led by photovoltaics, which achieved a record high last year, is also helping. All these factors in turn have fueled investment inflows into silver futures, options, exchange traded products (ETPs) and over-the-counter products.”

The Silver institute also reports strong silver jewelry sales in the US last year. Survey work on behalf of the institute showed 62% of jewelry retailers reporting increased sales in 2016.

In addition, 89% of retailers say they are optimistic that silver jewelry sales will continue to grow and 49% of retailers said silver jewelry gave them the best maintained margins during the holiday season.”

The April issue of Silver News also features some fascinating technological developments related to silver.

• Hundreds of millions of square feet of silver-coated glass are used in buildings worldwide each year. There are two key reasons for this. From an environmental perspective the transparent coating of silver gives the windows the ability to both reflect hot summer sun and retain internal heat. This permits easier climate control within larger buildings, thus minimizing energy usage. Also, from an esthetic perspective, silver provides an attractive hue popular with architects and building inhabitants alike.

• Researchers have developed a super-thin, silver coated medical probe for spinal test. The rubber-like fiber can bend and twist while delivering electrical stimulation and optical signals – such as from a laser – without injuring nearby nerves.

• Scientists are mimicking nature to produce strong, lightweight structures out of silver nanoparticles. Breakthroughs in 3D printing allow scientists to create these complex structures for use in the manufacture of artificial bones and other medical applications.

• Two companies have announced a collaborative partnership to embed odor-controlling silver fibers in cotton knit and woven fabrics.

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