Silver's current price on Wednesday, October 29, 2025

Silver's past performance 

Silver generally isn't considered a strong investment for rapid appreciation. Compared to other investments, such as stocks, it has historically lagged behind. Since 1921, silver has lagged behind the S&P 500 by approximately 96%. An investment split equally between silver and stocks at that time would now result in silver holdings being worth 96% less than stock holdings. 

Silver is valued for its steadiness and its capacity to protect against rising prices. Frequently referred to as a “store of value,”, it generally maintains its buying power during periods of rising inflation. 

Silver prices typically fluctuate more dramatically than gold, driven by industrial applications like solar panels and medical equipment, while gold primarily functions as a secure investment.

The meaning of “spot silver” is unknown. 

“Spot silver” refers to the live market rate at which silver can be bought or sold instantly. However, in practice, purchasers typically incur additional costs beyond the spot price for markups, transportation, insurance, and various other charges. 

The current market price reflects immediate demand, with a higher price indicating greater buyer interest. 

Silver trading price spread explained 

The term “price spread” refers to the gap between the ask and bid prices for silver. The definitions for these terms are as follows. 

• Ask price: the cost to purchase silver. 
• Bid price: the amount you receive when you sell silver. 

A narrower spread indicates high demand. 

Investing in silver 

You can gain exposure to silver by directly owning it or by investing in silver-backed exchange-traded funds (ETFs). With ETFs, you can hold a share of a fund containing silver, avoiding the need for personal storage and insurance. 

Key silver investment options include: 

• Bullion bars and rounds. These are sold by weight and purity 
• Government-minted silver coins. Iconic examples include American Silver Eagles and Canada’s Silver Maple Leafs, which often trade at premiums for their rarity and backing. 
• Silver jewelry. Bespoke items commanding prices exceeding that of bullion of equivalent purity. 
• Silver mining equities. Stocks in companies extracting silver, offering a sort of indirect investment in silver. 

On exchanges, bullion and coins are required to have a minimum purity of 99.9%. Silver with less purity is typically classified as either collectible or industrial grade. For further details on how to wisely invest in silver and other precious metals, consult our guide at best silver IRA companies.

Now might be a favorable moment to consider investing in silver. 

The price of silver has seen a significant increase of almost 25% during 2025, reaching its highest point in more than ten years. 

Your personal market outlook will determine if now is the right time for you to invest. If inflation is a primary concern, incorporating precious metals might be a wise move. Alternatively, if industrial uses like electronics are anticipated to grow, demand might drive prices up further. 

Today's current precious metals pricing as of 8:15 a.m. ET

Platinum and palladium, much like silver, display fluctuating price trends because of their more limited market sizes, whereas gold consistently serves as the standard. Due to its more extensive market, gold exhibits greater stability.

The key point 

Given the ongoing economic instability in today's market, it's worth at least a brief consideration of precious metals. Experts predict silver's 2025 performance will continue to surpass gold's, with the potential for further gains that could drive silver to new all-time highs. 

Due to its more affordable price point than gold, silver also serves as a readily available hedge. You can prepare to profit from expected silver demand by investing in physical bullion, ETFs, or mining stocks.

Commonly posed questions