Silver Institute to Issue Investment Report

Posted on 04 27, 2011

(Washington, D.C. – April 27, 2011) The Silver Institute will issue a report entitled, The Silver Investment Market – An Update, this summer. The report will examine who is investing in silver, investment in paper instruments linked to silver, physical investment in western and developing markets, silver mining stocks, as well as an analysis of privately held silver bullion stocks. Additionally, the report will provide commentary on future trends in the different components of silver investment demand.

Since 2009, when the Silver Institute issued its initial report on silver investment, this key segment of the silver market has attracted interest worldwide. “This is a good time to take a fresh look at how investors are changing the dynamic of the silver market,” stated Michael DiRienzo, Executive Director of the Silver Institute. GFMS Ltd. has been commissioned to produce this report for the Silver Institute.

In 2011, silver is proving to be the investment metal of choice among investors:

Silver’s price has increased 48% since the start of 2011, and its strong performance far exceeds the rise in gold prices, which stands at 8%, based on the London Fix.
Through the first quarter of 2011, total silver exchange-traded fund holdings stood at 612 Moz. When compared with end-March 2010 (471 Moz), they are now over 140 Moz higher year-on-year.
CME Group announced this week that on Monday, April 25 it had reached record volume in its COMEX silver futures, as well as in open interest of its silver options. Trading of silver futures reached 319,204 contracts, surpassing the prior record of 201,216 contracts set on November 9, 2010. At the same time, open interest in silver options reached a new record of 240,344 contracts. The prior record of 235,992 contracts was set on April 21, 2011.
In the first quarter of 2011, U.S. Mint sales of their one-ounce silver bullion Eagle coin reached an impressive 12.4 Moz, over 37% higher year-on-year. This comparison is even more striking given that 2010’s full year total for the U.S. Mint was a record high. If this performance is maintained, the U.S. Mint will comfortably achieve a new record in 2011.

The Silver Institute is a nonprofit international industry association headquartered in Washington, D.C. Established in 1971, the Institute serves as the industry’s voice in increasing public understanding of the value and many uses of silver.

For Further Information Contact:
Michael DiRienzo

Executive Director
The Silver Institute
Tel: (202) 495-4030