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Silver Prices Surge and Plunge Amid Economic Uncertainty

2/12/2026

30 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Silver prices spiked to $121.60 per ounce on January 29, 2026, then fell to about $74 shortly afterward, signaling volatility.
By mid-February 2026, the price stood around $83 per ounce, up more than 150% year over year.
Analysts project an average price for 2026 of about $79.57 per ounce, with forecasts as high as $160.
Despite volatility, analysts consider silver a viable investment amid U.S. economic uncertainty.

History

Historical Context

In 1980, the Hunt brothers attempted to corner the silver market, pushing prices to $49.45 per ounce before a dramatic crash saw values drop over 50%. This event echoed the volatility seen during the 1979 oil crisis, when crude oil prices surged due to geopolitical tensions, highlighting how speculative behaviors can destabilize markets and erode investor confidence.

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Story summary

Silver prices spiked to $121.60 per ounce on January 29, 2026, then fell to about $74 shortly afterward, signaling volatility.
By mid-February 2026, the price stood around $83 per ounce, up more than 150% year over year.
Analysts project an average price for 2026 of about $79.57 per ounce, with forecasts as high as $160.
Despite volatility, analysts consider silver a viable investment amid U.S. economic uncertainty.

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