Any form of investment comes with certain risks, especially if you are investing in capital markets or commodity markets. Savvy investors attempt to mitigate risks by diversifying their portfolio. Investment advisors often do a scientific risk assessment exercise and evaluate risks of each asset class, when advising their clients. These assessments are based on historical data, price movements of that particular asset class, market sentiment and market response to macro-economic and other forces. Of course, silver is a much-preferred asset class, viewed by many as a lucrative investment. But, before investing money into this precious metal, let us first consider some of the risks associated with it.
Speculative risk
Investing in a commodity like silver means you are speculating on the future expectation that the price of the metal will go up at a future point in time. As silver is a commodity, this is likely to happen due to increased demand. Investors may buy more of the metal in a bid to house their investments safely during market crises. On the other hand, we are seeing a trend where the demand for silver is rising due to industrial requirements, not investor demand. Coupled with a global scarcity of the resource, it is indeed a possibility that prices could be driven up eventually.
Silver bullion is a great investment, but not without certain risks
Creation of a bubble
Markets usually react to sentiment and when a group of investors start buying up precious metals, the price movements trigger a wave of people who buy as well, hoping to make some quick money. In the process, the price balloons, creating a bubble. This is a very risky situation, because as an investor, if you cannot exit the bubble in time, the price crashes to rock bottom, eroding all your money.
In 1997– 2000, we witnessed the dotcom bubble, where the same thing happened. A lot of people started investing in dotcom start-ups, believing that these stocks would deliver quick returns. Ultimately, the investments became lopsided and when investors realised that these new companies did not have strong enough fundamentals to deliver good returns, they dumped the stocks. The result was a huge market collapse in which several retail investors were completely wiped out. We saw a silver bubble in 2011 when many people moved their money to gold and silver in order to escape the capital markets and the price rose to almost $50 per ounce. But eventually, the bubble burst as investors moved out of the precious metal and went back to equities.
Price performance risks
Silver is considered to be a precious metal due to its historic acceptance by mankind. It may have several uses, beneficial factors and industrial demand, but that may not be enough to justify the investment. Some analysts would argue that its value is perception driven. Therefore, its value as an asset class is strictly governed by price performance. When we take a really long-term view of silver and go back 40 years or more, we realise that the total returns the metal generates are not that great. According to a study conducted by USA Today, silver has failed to post annual profits 43% of the time. So, if the theory of supply vs demand doesn’t bolster silver prices soon enough, it may not be a lucrative enough investment vehicle to warrant attention.
To safely store a large amount of silver, investors need specialised storage
Risk of secure storage
Taking physical delivery of precious metal and storing it in your own home opens you up to certain risks, such as theft or damage. On the other hand, if you buy silver certificates, you open yourself up to counterparty risk. Counterparty risk means that the other party, in this case, the issuer of the silver certificates, may not honour the certificate, if you choose to call for the money. This may be due to a number of reasons, such as the bank going down due to financial problems, etc. On the other hand, once you buy physical silver, you need to incur the costs of having a storage facility to house your investments. Also, investors need to bear in mind that since the price of silver is 75 times less than gold, a sizable investment in silver would also mean a large volume of the precious metal, which will need proper storage.
Call our team of experts to learn more about risks
Our investment team at Physical Gold have silver experts who can guide you through every step of the way. They can advise you about the risks associated with investing in silver and other precious metals. Call 020 7060 9992 to speak to a member of our team or you can get in touch online through our website and a member of our team will call you right back.
There has been great interest in silver in the recent past. The silver market has become buoyant with positive sentiment over expectations of huge price rises in the future. When buying silver, it makes more sense to invest in coins, rather than silver bars, although a mix of both can be desirable for your portfolio. These choices are likely to be governed by individual investment objectives. Having said that, what are the best choices out there in the silver coins’ market?
The silver Britannia
The best coins to invest in for UK investors are the Royal Mint produced coins. The UK silver Britannia should form the backbone of the investment as the standard coin is cheap but very liquid. Premiums are low, as it is a mass-produced bullion coin. The upside potential of buying these coins is tremendous, as it enjoys great availability. Buying large quantities of these coins from dealers can get you hefty discounts.
The Royal Mint issues regular additions of this coin, so, buying the current edition will ensure that you pay little or no premium at all. The Britannia is legal tender in the UK, making it highly tax-efficient in terms of CGT. This is likely to be an advantage for investors who want to cash in their profits after the price of silver rises.
The silver Britannia is a highly collectable coin
Combining Britannia investments with some more limited issue coins such as the Queens Beasts and Lunar series will provide portfolio balance and create the chance to benefit from these coins rising in value quicker due to limited issue.
The Lunar series
One of the great flagship coins launched by the Royal Mint is the Lunar series. It is a set of coins that features a different animal from the Chinese calendar for every issue. The 2019 issue depicts the year of the pig, according to the Chinese calendar. These coins are a must-buy, due to their collectability – there are 12 coins in the set. Each coin has a limited mintage and demand is great due to its popularity in Asia. So, investing in these coins can make your tidy profit, as the demand pushes prices up.
The Queen’s Beast series
The silver Queen’s Beast coins, that are minted by the Royal Mint is yet another beauty. This coin can add great variety to your collection as two sizes are available – a 2-ounce version and a large 10-ounce coin. Once again, they have great collectability value and are tax-efficient. All UK silver coins have the advantage of being Capital Gains Tax-free.
The silver Krugerrand
It is one of the best-known coins in the world and benefits from a very strong secondary market. Investing in the silver Krugerrand ensures great liquidity for your portfolio. The silver version has recently been launched in 2018 and it makes a great addition to any silver portfolio in terms of value and liquidity.
We can help you select the right silver coins
At Physical Gold, our silver investment experts can discuss your investment objectives and suggest the best silver and gold coins to buy. The current gold-silver ratio is around 88:1, so you can purchase quite a large amount of silver for your money compared to when you buy gold. The guidance you receive from our team can ensure that you make the right investment decisions. Call us today on (020) 7060 9992 or contact us via our website to find out more.
Silver is often a great addition to any investment portfolio. If we check silver prices over the last ten years, it’s interesting to note that the precious metal has always tracked gold. So, when gold prices rise, so does silver. Having said that, silver is a great investment, simply because you can buy more of it. The price of gold, when compared to silver is around 80:1. So, it’s a lot cheaper than gold and requires lesser investment to build a decent portfolio. Investment pundits are bullish on bullion silver for 2018 and silver prices are expected to go strong on the back of higher demand. It’s interesting to note that the higher demand for silver actually comes from industrial applications and not from investors looking to build a portfolio to maximise their wealth.
www.physicalgold.com don’t just sell gold! We’re also experts in silver and we’ve made it just as easy to buy silver from us as it is to buy gold. If you have any questions around how to invest in silver UK or foreign products, the amount to buy, whether to buy silver coins or silver bars or how it fits in your portfolio, then just give us a call and we’ll be happy to talk through your options.
How to buy physical silver in five steps
Step 1. Register an account in seconds / log in
Sign up for your free www.physicalgold.com account. It takes just a few minutes and we’ll provide you with expert tips and updates, to keep you informed of market movements, special offers and relevant insights. Just click on the ‘register’ button or log in to the site if you’re a returning user.
Step 2. Select the ‘silver’ product category
We offer four different main types of product categories. You can select either Silver Coins or Silver Bars from the relevant tab.
On the dedicated Buy Silver page, you should find all the information you need, along with short videos about your silver investment.
Since the beginning of 2021, customers can now buy gold and silver products in the same basket.
Step 3. Add your silver to your basket
On the silver page, you’ll be able to indicate how much silver you require. Please be aware that VAT is added to all silver products when purchasing in the UK.
If you’d like your silver stored, please enter that request in the notes field of your order, subject to min of £2,500 value.
Step 4. Pay using bank transfer, or credit card
We accept bank transfer or several types of credit card. Simply input your payment and address details, as you would with any other online transaction. www.physicalgold.com uses the 3D secure payment method, giving you extra protection and peace of mind.
Step 5. Receive your silver to your door (or use our secure storage option)
You’re done! We’ll send your silver coins directly to your door, using fast, secure and discreet delivery. Or if you want insured storage, we can place them into our own secure storage vault. Learn more about our secure storage option here.
Watch Daniel Fisher’s YouTube video, “Silver investing in 2019 and beyond”
Growth industrial areas stimulating demand for silver
The renewable energy business is growing in leaps and bounds as communities across the world are looking for ways to move to sustainable energy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Silver is a great conductor and is much in demand for photovoltaic applications, including solar panels. Demand for industrial silver grew to approximately 92 million ounces in 2017 and is predicted to keep rising. Another huge area of growth for silver is its application in electric cars.The electric car segment is expected to explode worldwide within the next ten years. Industrial demand for silver is expected to skyrocket on the back of these innovations. While demand is rising, supply has fallen. Experts believe that the global production of silver from mines has already peaked. Since 2011, the net production of mined silver has fallen by 72.1%. Yet, it remains a tangible asset and many investors turn to silver, looking to insulate themselves from the huge global risks of international stock markets, the falling US dollar, dwindling opportunities in the global money markets and the volatility of crypto-currencies. All of these factors make learning how to buy physical silver an important priority.
Buying silver online is really easy and very convenient
Yet another good reason to buy silver is that you can liquidate it in smaller quantities. This is a great advantage when selling silver for short term liquidity. Gold being way more expensive does not offer this opportunity. The researchers at www.physicalgold.com actively study these market trends. So, for those of you who are seriously looking to buy silver, this article explores how you can do just that from www.physicalgold.com.
How to invest in silver UK wide may seem like a daunting process for first-time buyers but adding some silver to your portfolio is as easy as doing your weekly shop online.At www.physicalgold.com, we secure silver at a fantastic rate, thanks to our size, market credibility and established history in the UK precious metals market. And our BNTA accreditation means you don’t need to worry about the quality of our metals (as you might at a high street merchant). We trade investment-grade silver only and even provide you with a certificate to prove it! And because we value our clients, you can always call us if you need that extra bit of guidance on any silver purchase. We are London-based, which is the heart of the UK financial services industry.
Get in touch to discuss how to buy silver online
We hope you have enjoyed our guide – “How to buy silver online”. So, as you can see, buying silver from www.physicalgold.com couldn’t be easier. If you need help at any step of the way – such as discussing types of silver or asking about buyback arrangements – all you need to do is call us on 020 7060 9992 or email us. We pride ourselves on our helpful and efficient service and we’ll get back to you straight away. Now you know how to buy physical silver, why don’t you browse our tax-free silver section.Shop SilverImage credit: Brian Shamblen
Gold or Silver Investment – which do I choose?
As investors increasingly turn to precious metals to protect their wealth, a common dilemma faced by many is whether to invest in gold or silver. The two metals behave quite differently, so it’s important to understand the dynamics of investing in either, before deciding to add them to your portfolio. Striking the right balance is essential to extricate value from your investments. Far too many people invest money into these asset classes without understanding what they’re getting into. Unfortunately, this can result in undesirable exposure to risk, further up the road. So, let’s take a close look at the right approach to combining your investments in both precious metals.
Historical analysis
Gold has historically been the precious metal of choice for most investors. During upheaval in the market, gold can provide safety and security for your investment portfolio. If we look back at every financial crisis, it is glaringly obvious that gold has risen to new heights during these times of uncertainty.
During the 2008 market crisis, gold reached its highest point in 2011. Similarly, at the height of the economic crisis created by the global pandemic last year, gold once again touched historical highs in August 2020. Even during a normal period in the market, gold performs steadily. Although the yellow metal may rise or fall in the course of market transactions, it does not suffer from extreme volatility. This makes it a fairly safe bet for most investors.
Silver bullion bars can be a great investment as the price is predicted to rise
Investment horizon
Investment planning is perhaps the most important step when investing money into any asset class. Gold and silver exhibit different behaviours across different time horizons. Gold has historically been seen as a safe and steady investment that generates returns and unlocks value over time. Silver, on the other hand, is often seen as a volatile precious metal.
Currently, there is a lot of interest in silver investments as pundits have predicted the mercurial rise of silver in the years to come. Gold is usually a better option for those investing with a shorter time horizon. Silver investors will require a much longer time horizon to unlock value from their investments. However, if the white metal behaves as predicted, there is an incredible opportunity to get in at lower price points and reap great returns in the future.
The gold-silver ratio
Another factor that governs investments in gold or silver is their price ratio. This has widened considerably over the years. It used to be 47:1 but now stands at 85:1. So, silver presents an incredible opportunity for investors to access the precious metals market as it is 85 times cheaper than gold. That is simply an incredible gap, and many investors want to get in and make hay while the sun shines.
But does it make sense to invest in silver? The white metal is a lot cheaper than gold and provides investors with affordable and easy access to the precious metals markets. Due to the widening gold-silver ratio, an entry-level investor may find it more attractive to buy silver.
Daniel Fisher, CEO of Physical Gold believes that the gap could widen further in the near future. According to his prediction, there is a possibility that it could soon be 100:1. Now, more than ever, it is imperative to strike the right balance between these two precious metals, when deciding to add both to your portfolio.
The silver Britannia is an excellent coin for investment
The demand for silver surges
Additionally, silver has suffered from production shortages in the last few years, while demand has risen substantially. As a metal, silver has certain sterling properties. It is one of the most conductive metals and also very ductile. Due to this, it is in demand across several industries like solar, electronics, electric vehicles, etc. Silver investors believe that the price of the white metal may escalate significantly in the years to come, and it may be prudent to lock in investments at low prices now. This may create a wonderful opportunity to reap profits when prices start to rise.
Precious metals portfolio – the right balance
Silver investments can be more volatile when compared to gold. Silver enjoys huge industrial demand and prices are expected to rise as supplies are thinning out. Historical price charts show us that silver tracks gold in terms of growth. Over the long-term, the gold-silver price ratio could reduce to 25:1. The production price is another factor that also needs to be taken into consideration.
In the case of gold, the production margins fade in comparison to its value. However, silver’s current spot price of around £11 does not allow the flexibility to absorb these margins. To strike a healthy balance, a prudent approach could be to maintain a holding of 8% in gold, followed by 20% in silver.
So, if you are focused on building a strong portfolio and hedging risks, gold may be a natural choice. However, if long-term profits attract you, silver investments may fulfil this objective. Gold offers better returns in the short-term and silver can provide you with an opportunity to capitalise over the longer term.
Physical gold investments can generate better returns in the short term
Combining the two metals
It’s actually most prudent to own a mix of both gold and silver. Gold is a more established safe-haven asset, so tends to gain more from market downturns and volatility. Silver can also perform well in these circumstances but also benefits when industrial demand for silver increases as it’s used so widely in electronics. While silver certainly has more opportunity for huge growth, gold is the steadier of the two.
Of course, there are certain tax advantages and disadvantages of buying silver. Silver coins that are legal tender in the UK can qualify for Capital Gains Tax (CGT) exemption. However, other silver investments may not.
The investment experts at Physical Gold can discuss your gold and silver investments
Our investment team is well-placed to offer expert advice to investors like you about investments in either precious metal. Get in touch with us by dialling (020) 7060 9992 or simply send us an email. We can assist you in making the right decision to balance your portfolio by adding both gold and silver.
All fans of the old spaghetti-style western movies would remember the film – “The good, the bad, and the ugly”. Speculative investors often invest in a typical cowboy style without understanding the dynamics of the market. In a world where online gold dealers are becoming increasingly popular, savvy investors need to be aware of the pitfalls of this market. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of gold and silver investing and also look at a few novice pitfalls which could leave your investment stranded, if you’re not careful.
The pros of investing in gold and silver (‘The Good’)
While gold and silver has been used as a medium of exchange in the past, coins and bars are now bought and sold as an investment. Buying real physical gold (as opposed to paper or electronic), offers a unique, intrinsically valued asset which can rise in value and provide balance to a portfolio.
Established market
The Internet and the information age has created transparency across the globe when it comes to gold and silver prices. It doesn’t matter whether you’re based out of Honolulu or Hokkaido, spot prices of gold and silver are easily available for all investors to browse before buying or selling. There are plenty of reputed online gold dealers who would guarantee your purchases and industry bodies like the LBMA or the BNTA are regulating the market at all times. This creates a level playing field for all investors to be able to invest their money safely.
Physical gold is an investment that stands the test of time
Verifiable assets
For investors in the UK, the London bullion market has created a system by which all gold bars in their system are verifiable, starting with the manufacturer, the assayer through to storage facilities in which the bars are held in LBMA recognised vaults. Through these best practices, the gold industry has reduced the risk of counterfeit bars entering the system. In a similar manner, the silver industry is also well regulated, providing investors with a transparent market where their money is safe as long as they’re dealing with registered, reputed brokers and dealers.
Precious metals like gold and silver are an excellent hedge against economic turmoil and inflation. The prices of gold and silver have remained relatively stable over the years and are not affected by volatility in the way that other asset classes are. All of this makes investments in gold and silver worthwhile in the long run. Owning gold or silver will likely reduce your overall financial risk as their value tends to rise when mainstream assets fall. In other words, gold and silver investment thrives during times of economic turmoil.
Disadvantages of gold and silver investing (‘The Bad’)
There are possible downsides to every investment and gold and silver have their possible disadvantages too. It’s always important to assess every investment opportunity on it’s merits and judge it based on your investment objectives and priorities.
No income from owning coins or bars
Once an investor purchases gold or silver in its physical form, he/she cannot make an income out of this investment unless the asset is sold. Certain investments in gold and silver are tax-free in the UK, however the same does not apply to the rest of the world. Of course, there are ups and downs in the spot prices of gold and these asset classes cannot be used to make quick money. Investors need to remain invested over the long-term in order to reap benefits from their investments.
Don’t buy the wrong type of gold
Buying gold and silver jewellery is not ideal as making charges and wasted charges are deducted from the sale price. Since the prices of gold and silver do not rise quickly, these deductions could erode whatever returns you have made on your purchase. Only investment grade gold is VAT-exempt, so ensure you are buying bars and coins of 22 karats and higher only.
Buying gold or silver coins with huge premiums or in expensive packaging can also negatively impact your investment returns, so be sure to research the best coins for investment in your country. A good precious metals dealer should be able to provide guidance.
Costs to buying, selling and storing
The spread between the price you pay when buying and selling is higher when dealing with physical silver and gold than with electronic assets. The cost of manufacturing and distribution means that the market has to move up more with gold and silver investing to make a profit than trading stocks.
Another downside of investing in gold and silver is that you need secure storage. It may not be safe to store precious metals inside your home, especially if you have a large amount.
Professional storage solutions are available, for example, Physical Gold stores their client’s purchases in an LBMA approved vault. However, there are costs attached to this and this and needs to be factored into the overall price.
The downright ugly
Trading in the precious metals markets requires you to be a savvy investor and have good knowledge of the market, especially when it comes to identifying genuine gold and silver. While there are accessories available in the market that can help you do that, you do require experience and specialised knowledge to be able to tell whether a bar or a coin is counterfeit. There are plenty of rogue traders out there and that’s the ugly part. Many in investors often fall for the lure of advertising and end up dealing with one of these rogue traders. Needless to say, their purchases are often fake and by the time the end up realising that, the money is all gone.
As a precious metals investor, you need to deal with a reputed online broker at all times. The BNTA website has a full list of registered traders. Physical Gold is proud to be an authorised BNTA trader and has a long track record in the market, with thousands of customers who had a great experience with us.
Don’t fall for the bad and the ugly
Talk to our precious metals experts at Physical Gold today and they will advise you on the best way to invest in gold and silver. Our investment experts take into account your investment goals, your personal profile and your investable capital. They use this information to advise you on the best way to build up a precious metals portfolio at the best prices in the market. Call us today on 020 7060 9992 or get in touch with us online to speak to a member of the team.
In this video, we’ll take a look at silver’s prospects for 2020 and beyond. Over the past 5 years, interest in silver has grown exponentially to the point where we now get almost as many silver enquiries as gold.
I’d like to start by looking at downside risk. The silver price fell from around £13 an ounce at the start of 2017, to £12.50/oz the following year, and nearer to £12 an ounce in 2019. Clearly, the prospect of owning a depreciating asset is unappealing.
Downside risk
However, unlike gold, silver’s demand consists predominantly from industrial use. As the world’s most conductive material, silver is used in most electronic components, solar panels, photography and medicines. The digital age is only going to develop over the coming years, creating new electronic demands on silver. The search for alternative energy will lead to increasing silver demand with electric cars and electric solar energy. So with industrial demand rising, downside risk to silver is minimal.
This theme may scare inexperienced investors, but this would suggest a buying opportunity in 2022 for silver. If you can lock in prices when the silver price is so low, your upside becomes magnified. The silver market is far smaller than that of gold, so prices can be more volatile. It also means that the price can move up in percentage terms far quicker and far greater.
The silver price could well receive a double boost over the coming years.
As well as the rising industrial demand, there’s plenty of uncertainty in the global economy to boost silver as a safe haven. 2019 and beyond marked a turn in the economic cycle. The middle of 2018 saw property prices begin to fall and global stock markets start to decline from their 9-year bull run. After nearly a decade of rising stock and property prices, the global economy is set for a big correction, especially with interest rates now on the rise. Throw in Brexit and a growing car leasing credit bubble, and safe havens could well become the flavour of the month once again. Gold will likely rise first, with silver following behind. But once silver starts its upward trend, the pace of increase will outstrip that of gold.
Diversify
A lot of investors ask me whether they should buy gold or silver. After all the two metals are quite different. For me, there’s a strong case to own both. Diversification is key in today’s digital globalised economy, so investing in silver and gold is a great way to hedge your hedge!
Now tax free
By sticking to Silver Britannia coins, any profit you make is also free from Capital Gains Tax!
Silver investing in 2020 with Physical Gold Ltd
So there you have it. 2020 and beyond are set to be exciting years for silver investing. Courage may be needed to enter a market which has fallen in value, but history will tell you, that’s the exact time to stack your claim.
If you feel silver could play a role in your investment portfolio, or you simply want to buy some silver coins or bars, then don’t hesitate to call our team of experts on 020 7060 9992 for any guidance you need.
Live Gold Spot Price in Sterling.
Gold is one of the densest of all metals. It is a good conductor of heat and electricity. It is also soft and the most malleable and ductile of the elements; an ounce (31.1 grams; gold is weighed in troy ounces) can be beaten out to 187 square feet (about 17 square metres) in extremely thin sheets called gold leaf.
Silver Information
Live Silver Spot Price in Sterling.
Silver (Ag), chemical element, a white lustrous metal valued for its decorative beauty and electrical conductivity. Silver is located in Group 11 (Ib) and Period 5 of the periodic table, between copper (Period 4) and gold (Period 6), and its physical and chemical properties are intermediate between those two metals.