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Silver (SI=F) September futures opened at $63.43 per ounce on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, down 1% from Tuesday's closing price. The silver price moved higher this morning, reaching $65 as of 8:55 a.m. ET.

Despite signs of strength Wednesday morning, the silver price is down about 9% for the year —  after spiking in late January and then dipping into negative territory in March. Catalysts have included ongoing tensions in the Middle East and higher rate hike expectations. While the war in Iran is ongoing, the interest-rate outlook has improved. Silver has not meaningfully appreciated, however.

The metal's industrial applications add complexity to its price drivers relative to gold. As a result, silver tends to be far more volatile. The current gold-to-silver ratio near 68 is in line with the long-term average range of 50 and 80.  

The opening price of silver futures on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, was 1% lower compared to Tuesday's closing price. Here's how today's opening silver price has changed versus last week, month, and year: 

One week ago: -4.8%

One month ago: +14.2%

One year ago: +70%

For context, silver's year-over-year growth was 173.3% on May 14.

24/7 silver price tracking: Don't forget you can monitor the current price of silver on Yahoo Finance 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Want to learn more about the current top-performing companies in the silver industry? Explore a list of the top-performing companies in the silver industry using the Yahoo Finance Screener. You can create your own screeners with over 150 different screening criteria.

Over the past 50 years, gold outperformed silver, delivering higher long-term returns. Since the 1970s, silver and gold prices have dramatically increased, but their roles in the economy and their long-term performance are very different.

Governments and investors view gold as a store of value, and central banks hold large gold reserves to protect their economies against global inflation or geopolitical crises. It's also widely used to produce jewelry. 

Silver is much more abundant in supply than gold, but it also has more uses. Silver plays a significant role in manufacturing and industrial production; companies use silver to make solar panels, electronics, and medical devices. The industrial demand can affect silver's prices, causing more drastic changes. 

Read more: Gold vs. silver: Which had higher returns over 50 years?

Whether you're tracking the price of silver since last month or last year, the price-of-silver chart below shows the precious metal's value journey so far this year.

More silver coverage from the Yahoo Finance team: 

5 ways to invest in silver for beginners

Silver price volatility: What to know and how to invest in 2026

​​Gold alternatives? How to invest in silver, platinum, and palladium.

Why is silver outperforming gold? What to know before you invest.

3 predictions about silver prices in the next decade

How to invest in silver in 5 steps

Investing in silver or other metals? Here's how to avoid taxes

Silver prices have more than tripled over the past year despite their recent sell-off. Here’s what you should know about the metal before you invest.

How will silver's price change in 2026 and beyond? Learn what's driving silver's price increases and expert predictions.

Gold and silver prices have been on a tear, with silver prices increasing by more than 100% year to date. Experts weigh in on what could be causing these record highs.

Both gold and silver have surged over the past 50 years, but which precious metals delivered the higher returns? Here's how these investments compare.

Interested in investing in silver? Understanding available investment options, the risks, and where to buy silver is key. Here's what you need to know.

How high will gold go in 2026? See live gold prices, expert predictions about gold performance, and learn whether gold will reach $6,000.