Investing in silver is a great way to store wealth during economic uncertainty. It offers investors a safety net against some common financial risks associated with other types of investment, and its combination of scarcity and high demand will almost inevitably result in a stronger silver market. But with so many options available, it can be difficult to know where to start. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the best ways to buy silver, from physical coins and bars to ETFs and stocks.
You have direct control and ownership of your investment in silver when you buy physical precious metals. You can buy silver through local dealerships and pawnshops or online stores, such as APMEX or JM Bullion. More specialized dealers allow you to buy entire bars instead of just coins. According to Forbes, the best place to buy silver is online.
Investors in silver should look for a dealer with a purchasing and storage program to avoid taking physical possession of their assets. This preventive measure will keep your investment safe, as purchased coins and bars will remain securely stored in an approved vault. Breaking the chain of custody could make it difficult for investors to sell their silver in the future. In addition, taking silver to store at home could cause unpleasant surprises if part of the stash is accidentally lost. One of the most popular online retailers of precious metals is BGASC.
This e-commerce silver retailer has more than 20 years of experience in trading precious metals. It offers a reliable option for silver investors in the United States, as well as global investors with access to a wide selection of silver products. Another great option for experienced investors is Silver Trading Company. This online seller claims to offer some of the lowest prices on the market, and prides itself on treating all its customers equally, regardless of the size of their orders.
If you don't want to directly own physical silver, but you also want a lower-risk method than futures, you can buy an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that holds physical silver. The clearest way to invest in silver is to go out and buy the physical metal. Silver ingots are available in coin and bar form, and most coin and precious metal traders offer silver ingots in various sizes and formats. Silver futures are an attractive way to play in the silver market because of the large amount of leverage available in futures contracts. Or invest in silver-related paper assets, such as stocks, funds, and even silver streaming companies.
You can buy silver stocks just like you would buy the shares of any company, through a brokerage agency, investment application, or online trading platform. Some contain shares of silver companies, while others invest in the metal itself or in futures contracts. This fund tracks the results of an index that includes investments in companies that are engaged in silver exploration or metal mining. Traders can also bet on the silver market through an ETF that holds futures contracts through ProShares Ultra Silver (AGQ), although it's better as a short-term bet than as a long-term hold, due to the fund structure. Even miners are not always as pure a set of silver as you would expect, since silver is often mined together with or extracted from other metals. The form of silver in which to invest depends on your own desire for comfort and appreciation, and on your tolerance for risk. If you decide to invest in silver, the best way is probably through a silver ETF. This allows you to participate in the metal itself with low fees and the ability to buy and sell quickly, and can be easily managed by low-cost brokers such as E*TRADE. The investment information provided in this table is for general informational and educational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial or investment advice. While it tends to work well when stocks fall, the long-term outlook for silver doesn't fit well with long-term investment.
Silver offers you a great way to easily diversify your investment portfolio without spending too much money to do so.
