Silver prices today, Monday, August 17, 2026: Buoyed by softer economic data, while industrial outlook remains uncertain

On Monday, August 17, 2026, silver (SI=F) September futures opened at $65.06 per ounce, a 0.1% decrease from the previous Friday's closing price. Throughout the morning, the silver price rose slightly and reached $65.32 at 9:05 a.m. ET. Over the past month, the metal has experienced a 17.1% increase. Economic data indicating softer consumer spending may be contributing to the investment appeal of silver, as reported declines in retail sales and consumer sentiment could reduce the immediate risk of Federal Reserve rate hikes.

Silver's price is also impacted by industrial and import demand, with potential reductions in demand from India and China, as well as solar-panel manufacturers adopting new technologies that lessen their reliance on silver. Despite opening 0.1% lower than Friday's closing price on Monday, August 17, 2026, silver has seen various growth rates over different time periods, including a notable year-over-year increase of 173.3% on May 14.

Investors can choose from various ways to invest in silver, such as purchasing physical silver (bullion bars or government-minted coins), investing in silver exchange-traded funds (ETFs), or acquiring silver through financial products tied to its price. Each option carries its own advantages and considerations, with physical silver offering tangible ownership but requiring storage and potential insurance costs, while ETFs provide accessibility and liquidity but may be subject to higher taxes and expense ratios.