Blog posts of '2026' 'July'

Silver has long occupied a distinctive place in the precious metals market.

It appeals to investors seeking portfolio diversification and a hedge against inflation, but it also benefits from a broad set of industrial uses that tie demand to real economic activity. As a smaller market than gold, silver also tends to be more volatile, yet the volatility allows for some truly profitable highs and advantageous lows. That combination is one reason silver continues to deserve serious attention from long-term investors.

Despite the current pullback, silver is up roughly 55% year-over-year, and up nearly 130% over the past five years. 

Even now, silver remains supported by two important pillars: physical investment demand and industrial demand. Even as some parts of the market have shifted midway through 2026, the broader case for silver remains intact.

Physical Investment Demand Remains Resilient
Despite changing market conditions, many investors continue to view physical silver as a good value and as a practical diversifier within a diverse portfolio.

While physical buying patterns varies by region, and sentiment has dampened in the time since silver hit all-time highs at the end of January, the broader takeaway is clear. Investor demand has not disappeared. It remains active enough to reinforce silver’s role as a hard asset for those seeking to hedge against inflation, respond to market uncertainty, and align metal mix within a disciplined long-term strategy.

For long-term investors, that is an important signal. Silver continues to attract buyers who want tangible exposure to hard assets rather than paper-only positioning. Does that include you?

If so, today's lower spot prices are an opportunity.

Silver Is Not Driven by One Story Alone
One of silver’s most important strengths is that it is not dependent on a single source of demand. Unlike equities and other assets driven mainly by investor sentiment, silver also serves a practical role across the global economy. From electronics and automotive applications to grid investment and advanced technologies, silver’s industrial relevance helps give it a broader demand base.

Investment demand is only part of the silver story. Industrial demand remained substantial, with the survey reporting 657.4 million ounces of industrial demand in 2025.

Although that total declined modestly year over year, it still reflects a very large base of real-world use. Silver remains deeply embedded in important industrial and technological applications, and that supports the metal’s long-term relevance beyond cycles of investor enthusiasm.

This is why silver stands apart in a meaningful way. 

A metal supported by both investor interest and industrial use may offer a different risk-reward profile than one reliant on only one side of the market. It is both a financial asset and an industrial input. That dual identity can strengthen the case for ownership when markets are evaluating both capital preservation and long-term opportunity.

A Fifth Consecutive Market Deficit Deserves Attention
Perhaps one of the most important findings in the 2026 World Silver Survey is that the silver market recorded a 40.3 million ounce deficit in 2025. This marked the fifth consecutive annual shortfall, and silver is on its way to a sixth year of supply deficit in 2026.

That matters because persistent deficits can add pressure to above-ground stocks over time. Even when mine production and recycling improve, a market that remains in deficit suggests supply has not fully caught up with combined demand.

With a projected shortfall of 46.3 million troy ounces in 2026, the supply deficit is only deepening, which will increase market demand and volatility.

At ASI, we believe precious metals decisions should be made within a broader strategy, not in reaction to headlines alone. The right silver allocation depends on objectives, time horizon, storage preferences, and the role precious metals play within the rest of the portfolio.

For some investors, silver may complement physical gold as part of a broader wealth-protection strategy. For others, it may represent an opportunity to align hard assets in their portfolio mix in a way that reflects both industrial upside and long-term hard-asset discipline.

What matters most is clarity of purpose. When silver is approached thoughtfully, it can serve as more than a speculative position. It can become part of a disciplined plan built around diversification, resilience, and long-term ownership of tangible assets.

Whether you are building a new position or adding to an existing allocation, silver has real tangible value as both a diversifier and a strategic hard asset. And there's no better way to Keep What's Yours. 

To that end, this week only, we're offering 5 oz. Brilliant Uncirculated America the Beautiful silver coins at $1.49 over spot per ounce.

5 oz. BU America the Beautiful Silver Coins
Just $1.49 over spot per oz.

Ready to take advantage of silver’s pullback? Call 1-800-831-0007 or email infoasi@assetstrategies.com to secure your America the Beautiful Silver Coins at just $1.49 over spot today!

Gold and silver have pulled back, but this comes on the heels of an incredible rally to new all-time highs for both metals.

{% video_player "embed_player" overrideable=False, type='hsvideo2', hide_playlist=True, viral_sharing=False, embed_button=False, autoplay=False, hidden_controls=False, loop=False, muted=False, full_width=False, width='1920', height='1080', player_id='217915323824', style='' %}

Click here to view.

The pullback in gold is real. Yet, the bull market is not over.

In this video from Rule Symposium 2026, Rich Checkan of Asset Strategies International explains the key headwinds shaping gold in 2026, why central bank buying still matters, and what disciplined long-term investors should watch next. If you are looking for actionable insights on market sentiment, portfolio protection, and where this cycle may be headed, this presentation delivers in-depth information and analysis.

You will also hear why pullbacks can create good value for investors who prefer to average in rather than chase short-term moves. For those focused on financial resilience, rangebound pricing can present an opportunity to buy physical gold at more attractive premiums while long-term fundamentals remain in place.

For virtual access to the complete library of on-demand replays from 2026 Rule Symposium on Natural Resource Investing, you can still register here.

And, if you want to take advantage of gold's rangebound spot prices and relatively low premiums, we're offering Krugerrands at just $99 over spot this week only. Call 1-800-831-0007 or email infoasi@assetstrategies.com to place your order.

1 oz. Gold South African Krugerrand
Just $99 over spot! 

Gold has pulled back over the past sixth months, but the long-term case for physical gold remains intact. If you want to add physical gold to your diverse portfolio at a compelling price, call 1-800-831-0007 or email infoasi@assetstrategies.com to add 1 oz. Krugerrand to your portfolio today.

The $20 Double Eagle traces its roots directly to the California Gold Rush. Prior to 1849, America’s largest gold coin was the $10 Eagle. However, due to the influx of Western gold, the U.S. Mint introduced the hefty Double Eagle.

Editor's Note: This article is from our friend Byron King at Paradigm Press. Byron will be joining us live next Wednesday July 29th for our next session of the On the Move Webinar series. He brings deep expertise and connections in energy, precious metals, other critical minerals and defense. Reserve your spot now to hear a perspective that is both credible and immediately relevant to today’s market conditions. 

Gold has already delivered one of the most volatile starts to a year on record, surging above $5,500 an ounce in January before falling below $4,000 in late June. Even after that sharp reversal, gold is still among the top-performing assets over the past year.

Yes, even despite the pullback.

On a technical basis, gold is still trending well above its two-year average. Gold is still showing significant gains year-over-year, down just 7% in the first half of 2026 after rallying 64% last year. Last July, gold spot prices were in the $3,320-$3,360 range, compared to roughly $4,000 today.

And there's a strong possibility gold recovers the 7% loss and even gains momentum this year.

Some investors use technical indicators like moving averages to measure relative strength and positioning. As a matter of fact, recent data indicates that gold may be approaching its next technical support level (see chart above).

Since 1971, there have been only eight instances in which gold has dropped by more than 20% after reaching a record high, typically averaging a 29-36% loss. At present, the gold price is about 25% below its record high. In these instances, organic demand from investors or central banks has historically boosted gold after these more sizable pullbacks. Meaning that if gold goes below a certain technical support level (+-10%), it will likely trigger bargain hunting demand and drive prices right back up. 

If this isn't the bottom of this downward trend, then it's very close to it.

And the market is set up for a possible breakout. However, gold remains highly reactive to risk, uncertainty, and changes in rate expectations.

For long-term investors, this creates an important decision point. If gold stays rangebound for a while longer, pullbacks may offer a chance to average in at a good value. 

Last week, gold settled Thursday at its lowest level in 9 months when oil prices rose. The worsening conflict between the U.S. and Iran continues to stoke fears of prolonged inflation and future interest rate hikes. Investors surveyed were split on betting on a rate hike in September as the Fed signaled growing support for a rate hike before year's end to rein in inflation toward the central bank’s 2% target.

However, the second half of 2026 could still bring renewed upside, especially if economic growth weakens, geopolitical pressures intensify, or investors step back in on price dips. Gold may be stuck rangebound for now, but today's volatility in precious metals may yet yield rewards for proactive investors willing to look past current negative market sentiment.

Does that sound like you? If so, check out our current gold bullion offer below and call your ASI Preferred Client Representative today.

1 oz. Gold Canadian Maple Leaf Coins
Just $129 over spot! 

Whether your focus is inflation protection, portfolio diversification, or long-term financial resilience, we can provide actionable insights to help you move forward with confidence. Call 1-800-831-0007 or email infoasi@assetstrategies.com to add 1 oz. Gold Maples to your portfolio today.

Should you rebalance into precious metals?

The first half of 2026 reminded investors that precious metals can move sharply in a bull market... to the upside... or the downside.

Gold surged to record highs early in the year before pulling back, while silver experienced even more extreme volatility. 

Precious metals reacted strongly as markets were forced to absorb geopolitical tension, inflation concerns, and changing rate expectations.

At the mid-year mark, market conditions remain unsettled.

Gold decreased 7% in the first half of 2026 after rallying 64% last year. 

And silver is down roughly 15% YTD after rising 141% in 2025.

But is this the beginning of a bear market or merely an extended consolidation period in a longer bull market?

Retail buying trends reflect one thing, while central bank gold buying and market fundamentals represent another...

Since the U.S.-Israeli action against Iran began in late February, elevated tension has caused spot prices to drop while hints of potential resolution have triggered rallies.

Both gold and silver fell last Friday as the U.S. and Iran exchanged airstrikes, boosting expectations of a prolonged Middle East conflict. Ongoing conflict in the region has supported energy-price concerns and renewed attention on inflation risk, while shifting expectations around Federal Reserve policy have changed the near-term outlook for metals.

At the same time, the broader mid-year outlook suggests that even after a sharp correction, the metal remains tied to an environment of moderate growth, elevated inflation, and persistent geopolitical uncertainty.

For investors focused on portfolio protection, the bigger takeaway may be less about short-term price swings and more about what continues to drive evergreen interest in physical metals: diversification, liquidity, and the ability to hold a tangible asset outside of purely paper-based exposure. In that environment, silver remains especially compelling for buyers who want practical exposure to precious metals at a lower entry point than gold.

What's next for metals in 2026?

In a recent interview with Investing News, ASI President Rich Checkan acknowledged that gold and silver could still go lower, but he encouraged investors to act sooner than later, "Take a little of your cash, deploy it now — lock in that opportunity to buy well. And then if it goes lower, if you get your wish, buy some more and average down." 

At ASI, we believe maintaining focus on long-term fundamentals can help investors cut through short-term noise. The start of the third quarter is a perfect time to assess finances and rebalance your portfolio to take advantage of a shifting market. 

Physical gold and silver have long played an important role in portfolio protection, inflation hedging, and wealth preservation. For investors who want to act during a market pullback, this week's offer is designed to make that decision easier.

This week, 100 oz. silver bars are available for delivery at just $1.49 over spot per ounce.

Whether you are building a new position or adding to an existing allocation, 100 oz. silver bars can offer a convenient balance of affordability and tangible ownership.. And there's no better way to Keep What's Yours.

100 oz. Silver Bars
Just $1.49 over spot per oz.

Ready to take advantage of silver’s pullback? Call 1-800-831-0007 or email infoasi@assetstrategies.com to secure your 100 oz. Silver Bars at just $1.49 over spot today!

Perspective By Rich Checkan

Is gold's losing streak over?

Gold regained momentum at the end of last week, with spot prices posting a weekly gain of more than 2% on Friday and snapping a four-week losing streak. The move followed weaker-than-expected U.S. job growth data, which reduced expectations for additional rate hikes and helped restore interest in physical gold as a portfolio diversifier.

Investors are now betting on a 56% chance of a rate increase in September, down from more than 60% before the report was released, according to the CME FedWatch tool.

When economic data points to slowing growth and a less aggressive rate path, gold often returns to the conversation as a hedge against inflation, currency uncertainty, and broader market volatility. 

Gold's 3-4% YTD dip follows an aggressive early-year rally.

Think of this pullback as a "coiling of the spring" for gold. As it trades sideways after a major rally, the market can shake out weak speculators, achieve price equilibrium, and rebuild a solid technical base. This pause creates structural strength, allowing gold to gather energy for its next breakout. This process passes gold into the hands of long-term structural investors (such as institutional buyers and central banks), making future upward movements far more stable and robust.

Long consolidation periods like this are not only common, but necessary over the course of a long term gold bull market. In this environment, pullbacks are a chance to average in at a better entry point before the spring releases and spot prices into the next major bullish phase.

This is one reason many investors continue to view physical gold as a practical tool for financial resilience. Gold has historically served as a store of value during periods of uncertainty, and renewed strength should suggest that underlying fundamentals remain intact.

At ASI, we encourage investors to stay focused on long-term fundamentals rather than short-term market noise. A disciplined approach to buying physical gold during periods of weakness can help align metal mix decisions with broader financial goals while preserving flexibility for the future.

That's why we're offering 1 oz. gold bars at just $119 over spot this week. These bars are "dealer's choice", and all are LBMA-approved, which means not only are they a great addition to your portfolio, but they can also easily be added to an IRA! Don't miss out! Call 1-800-831-0007 today to place your order .

1 oz. Gold LBMA-Approved Bars
Just $119 over spot!

Call 1-800-831-0007 or email infoasi@assetstrategies.com to add gold bars to your portfolio today.