Silver Prices Hold Steady Amid Geopolitical Tensions and Pending Fed Rate Decision
On Wednesday, July 29, 2026, silver prices opened at $57.38 per ounce but rose slightly to $57.47 by midday amid renewed airstrikes in the Middle East and anticipation of a Federal Reserve rate decision later that day. The price has declined over recent days this week but remains stable due to geopolitical tensions prompting investors toward safe-haven assets like precious metals. The market is influenced by conflicting factors: while rising energy prices from the Iran conflict increase pressure for higher interest rates, which could hurt silver demand, ongoing instability supports metal investments as a hedge. According to CME Group's FedWatch tool, there’s a 64.2% chance of rate stability and a 35.8% likelihood of a 0.25 percentage point hike. Silver prices have dropped by over 3% in the past week but are up significantly compared to one year ago (+50.5%). The metal's performance is also shaped by its industrial uses, which can cause more volatility than gold.
