There is a case to be made that world production is not the only issue, but the available supply is just as important, if not more.

In the case of gold, a relatively small portion of supply is consumed, as the bulk of it is held as jewelry and bullion. One might say that if the bullion banks get into a pinch, the central banks can bail them out by 'leasing' gold to them for sale. In fact there is quite a bit of circumstantial evidence that the central banks have been doing this for some time, and would be in serious difficulty if they faced external audits.

In the case of silver however, quite a bit of it is used in industrial production. The counter case is that as the price rises, additional material is available in recycling operations from scrap. There is also a significant supply of bullion, but unlike gold it is widely dispersed in ownership, with central banks holding little or none in their reserves.

There is a remarkable concentration in the short position in silver and gold.

All things considered, silver looks like an accident waiting to happen to a handful of banks who may have crossed up one market too far.

chart courtesy of Sharelynx

By Jesse

http://jessescrossroadscafe.blogspot.com

Welcome to Jesse's Café Américain - These are personal observations about the economy and the markets. In providing information, we hope this allows you to make your own decisions in an informed manner, even if it is from learning by our mistakes, which are many.

Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors.

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