Silver (SI=F) December futures opened at $66.80 per ounce on Monday, August 31, 2026, down 1.4% from Friday's closing price. The metal recovered somewhat during the morning session, reaching $67.84 as of 8:39 a.m. ET.

Silver prices have been steadily declining since the start of last week, and the open this morning extended that slide as expectations build for a Federal Reserve rate increase. Higher interest rates tend to weigh on precious metals like silver, which pay no interest or dividends, because rising rates make yield-bearing assets such as bonds relatively more attractive to hold.

On Friday, Fed Chair Kevin Warsh reiterated the Fed's mandate for lowering prices, saying the central bank still had "work to do":

"We must be confident that underlying inflation is moving to our objective, clearly and at sufficient speed. Otherwise, we have work to do," Warsh said in his first speech as chairman in Jackson Hole, Wyo. "It is the Fed's job to deliver stable prices." (Yahoo Finance)

Adding to the rising expectations of higher rates, the U.S. military carried out its first attack against Iran in over a month, destroying rocket launchers that were preparing to fire mines into the Strait of Hormuz. (Read more: US Strikes Iranian Rocket Launchers in First Attack in Weeks) Escalation in the Middle East can cut both ways for silver: it often boosts demand for safe-haven assets, while the threat to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz — a chokepoint for global oil flows — can push up energy costs and add to inflation pressures that central banks are trying to contain.

Current price of silver

The opening price of silver futures on Monday, August 31, 2026, was 1.4% below Friday's close. Here's how today's opening silver price compares with last week, last month, and last year:

• One week ago: -3.7%
• One month ago: +12.8%
• One year ago: +70.6%

For context, silver's year-over-year growth stood at 173.3% on May 14.

Silver prices can be monitored on Yahoo Finance 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Investors can also use the Yahoo Finance Screener to explore top-performing companies in the silver industry, with the ability to create custom screeners using more than 150 different criteria.

How beginners can invest in silver

There are several ways to invest in silver, from buying the metal itself to choosing financial products tied to its price. Here's how each option works.

Physical silver

The most direct route is to buy silver in physical form, either as bullion bars or government-minted coins. This provides direct ownership of the metal with no counterparty risk from an exchange or financial institution.

The trade-off is logistics: buyers need to consider storage, security, and potentially insurance. Dealers also charge a markup above the spot price, meaning prices must rise enough to cover that premium before an investor is in profit. Still, for those who want tangible ownership of their assets, physical silver remains a straightforward option.

Silver ETFs

Silver exchange-traded funds (ETFs) trade on stock exchanges in the same way individual stocks do. Some ETFs hold physical silver directly, giving shareholders fractional ownership of real metal, while others invest in silver mining companies rather than the commodity itself.

ETFs are generally the most accessible and liquid way to gain silver exposure. They can be bought and sold through any standard brokerage account, with no storage or insurance to worry about.

Investors should note, however, that some silver funds are taxed as collectibles rather than investments, which can mean a higher tax rate; it's worth confirming the tax treatment with a professional before investing. Expense ratios also deserve attention.

Read more: 5 ways to invest in silver for beginners

More silver coverage from the Yahoo Finance team

• Silver price volatility: What to know and how to invest in 2026 — Silver prices have more than tripled over the past year despite their recent sell-off. Here's what you should know about the metal before you invest.
• Silver vs. gold: Which metal made investors more money in the last 50 years? — Both gold and silver have surged over the past 50 years, but which precious metal delivered the higher returns? Here's how these investments compare.
• Gold alternatives? How to invest in silver, platinum, and palladium
• Why is silver outperforming gold? What to know before you invest — Gold and silver prices have been on a tear, with silver up more than 100% year to date. Experts weigh in on what could be causing these record highs.
• 3 predictions about silver prices in the next decade
• How to invest in silver in 5 steps — Understanding available investment options, the risks, and where to buy silver is key. Here's what you need to know.
• Investing in silver or other metals? Here's how to avoid taxes
• Silver price predictions: What can investors expect over the next 10 years? — How will silver's price change in 2026 and beyond? Learn what's driving silver's price increases and expert predictions.
• How to invest in silver: A beginner's guide — Silver can be significantly more volatile than other assets. Here's what you need to know before investing.

Source: Yahoo Finance