Silver prices today, Monday, August 31, 2026: Silver opens lower as rate-hike expectations rise

On Monday, August 31, 2026, silver futures began trading at $66.80 per ounce. This marked a decline of 1.4% compared to Friday's closing price. Earlier in the day, silver had risen to $67.84 at 8:39 a.m. ET. Over the past week, silver prices had been falling steadily and continued to drop at the opening bell.

Fed Chair Kevin Warsh reiterated the Federal Reserve's mandate to combat inflation, stating that the Fed needed to act: "We must be confident that underlying inflation is moving to our objective, clearly and at sufficient speed. Otherwise, we have work to do." This sentiment added to the rising expectations of a potential rate hike.

The gold and silver market has seen significant fluctuations of late. Over the past year, silver prices have tripled despite recent sell-offs. Experts are weighing in on potential causes for these record highs, with silver outperforming gold in recent years. Investors are exploring various options for gaining exposure to silver, including buying physical silver, investing in silver ETFs, or purchasing silver mining stocks. Each method comes with its own set of advantages and considerations.