The gold-silver ratio reflects the price relationship between gold and silver, showing how many ounces of silver are needed to match the value of one ounce of gold. Investors often trade this ratio by hedging their positions in one metal with opposite positions in the other
For instance, if the ratio is unusually high and investors expect gold's price to drop relative to silver's, they might buy silver while shorting the same amount of gold. If their prediction proves accurate, they could profit from silver outperforming gold.
Historical Scenario: A Series of Economic Recessions Following Rate Cuts
Source: Bloomberg
Blue line: Silver
White line: Gold
Historically, it is seen that gold moves up on an average of 34% during the entire rate cut cycle while silver declines. However, it is worth noting that all three of the historical rate cuts have been followed by a recessionary environment. This led to increased demand in safe haven asset such as gold, driving prices higher. Moreover, since silver’s predominant demand comes from industrial activity, historical recessionary environments prevented silver prices from rising as much as gold.
It is also observed that, typically, silver and gold move in tandem. However, a large divergence in prices has developed since 2013. The divergence has aggravated in recent times as gold started recovering due to increased demand from the COVID-19 pandemic, rapid central bank buying which reached historical highs in the past two years and increasing geopolitical tensions.
This has now set silver up for a potential rally as current macro-economic factors seem favourable towards the precious metal.
Current Scenario: A Soft Landing in Sight
During the September FOMC meeting, the federal reserve cut interest rates by 50 bps, bringing the fed fund rate to 5%. It is further expected that rates will fall to 4.4% by the end of this year and finally to 2.98% by 2026. Moreover, comments made by fed chairman Jerome Powell were very dovish stating the strength of the US economy and labor market. This has eliminated any risks of a recession and solidified a soft-landing scenario. This is expected to bode well for silver as industrial activity is expected to pick up as the economy heads for a period of strong growth.
Moreover, silver is currently in a deficit which is expected to continue till the end of the year. It is anticipated that Silver will face a deficit of 265 million ounces in FY24, making it the second highest deficit in 10 years. Therefore, high potential industrial and photovoltaic demand and reduced mining output will help push silver prices higher.
Another factor to consider is ETF holdings of the two metals. Gold holdings have reduced 2.6% to 83 million troy ounces YTD while silver holdings have increased 1.8% to 712 million troy ounces YTD. Further signaling that a silver rally is just around the corner.
Source: Bloomberg
Blue line: Gold
White line: Silver
Gold Silver Ratio Current levels:
The ratio is currently close to 84 and is expected to face a pullback due to improving silver dynamics. Moreover, the average gold/silver ratio is 80. Given that gold prices are near the $2,700 level, silver should ideally be near $34 to maintain the average ratio. Implying that it is currently around 7% undervalued.
It is worth noting that if the gold/silver ratio crosses the resistance level of 91.32, the trade should be exited.
Trade Strategy:
Current level of ratio is 84
Suppose we have a total investment of $500,000.
We take a long position in silver of $250,000 at $31.7/Oz i.e. 7,886 ounces.
We take a short position in gold of $250,000 at $2,662/Oz i.e. 94 ounces.
Below is a historical analysis of the gold silver ratio when it decreased from 84 to 80 and increased from 84 to above resistance level of 91. The trade is profitable only when the ratio is declining. If the ratio crosses the resistance level and we have taken the current trade strategy of long silver and short gold, we will suffer heavy losses. Hence, it is advised to exit the strategy at this point.
Ratio decreases to 80 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Metal prices rise - November 2022 | |||||
Position | Quantity (Oz) | Spot Price | % change in price | New price | Profit/Loss |
Long Silver | 11,927 | $20.96 | 141.18% | $23.93 | $35,450 |
Short Gold | 142 | $1760.44 | 8.50% | $1,910.08 | -$2,1250 |
Net Profit | $14,200 |
Metal prices fall - October 2008 to November 2008 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Position | Quantity (Oz) | Spot Price | % change in price | New price | Profit/Loss |
Long Silver | 24178 | $10.34 | 9.5% | $9.36 | -$23,750 |
Short Gold | 294 | $850 | 12.0% | $748.00 | $30,000 |
Net Profit | $6,250 |
Ratio increases to 91.32 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Metal prices rise - December 2019 - February 2020 | |||||
Position | Quantity (Oz) | Spot Price | % change in price | New price | Profit/Loss |
Long Silver | 14069 | $17.77 | 0.82% | $17.92 | $2,050 |
Short Gold | 167 | $1,500 | 9.1% | $1,636.30 | -$22,750 |
Net Loss | -$20,700 |
Metal prices fall - October 2008 to November 2008 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Position | Quantity (Oz) | Spot Price | % change in price | New price | Profit/Loss |
Long Silver | 10339 | $24.18 | 8.55% | $22.11 | -$21,375 |
Short Gold | 123 | $2,036 | 0.8% | $2,020.53 | $1,900 |
Net Loss | -$19,475 |
Risks and Assumptions related to Back-tested trading strategies
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