Silver Stock Investor expects silver prices to rise above $50 in 2026 amid shortages

Silver is back in the spotlight after surging 40% over the past 12 months to above $34 an ounce. The SilverSqueeze 2.0 movement, which is gaining traction on social media, is urging investors to flood the physical market with buy orders on March 31. Activists are aiming to disrupt what they call a “manipulated” paper market, Kitco News reports

The silver market is facing a 223 million ounce shortfall, which is nearly 25% of its annual production. Meanwhile, a paper-to-physical silver ratio stands at 378 to 1, according to Peter Kraut, editor at Silver Stock Investor.

The global silver market has recorded four straight years of deficits, with inventories drawing down from exchanges like the LBMA. Recent buying activity reflects market anxiety about potential silver tariffs in Trump's trade package. If the deficit and increased demand persist, the asset could reach the $50 mark or even higher next year, Kraut believes.