The price of silver has experienced a significant plunge of more than 3%, with sellers setting their sights on challenging the 200-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA). This downward trend has been driven by the overall strength of the US Dollar (USD) in the financial markets on Tuesday. Statements from Federal Reserve speakers and the testimony of Fed Chair Jerome Powell at the US Congress have contributed to a dampened market mood. This development is particularly noteworthy for South Africa, where silver is a commonly traded commodity.

At the time of writing, XAG/USD is trading at R422.89, after reaching a daily high of R438.84. This downward shift in the XAG/USD has occurred after breaking through support levels, yet it remains above the 200-day EMA at R419.82. This level is now up for grabs as the spot price of silver continues to nosedive during the North American session.

Oscillators such as the Relative Strength Index (RSI) indicator paint a negative picture for XAG’s buyers. The RSI has turned negative, while the three-day Rate of Change (RoC) is at its lowest level since May 25, indicating a potential further downward trend.

Given these conditions, the first support for XAG/USD would be the R420.00 figure. A breach of this level would expose the 200-day EMA, followed by the May 26 low at R414.86. If XAG/USD surpasses the latter, silver could plummet to the R383.00 handle. Conversely, if XAG/USD buyers reclaim the 100-day EMA at R429.94, they could challenge the R438.00 level.

For South African investors, these developments could potentially influence their trading strategies. The downward trend in silver prices could lead to a more cautious approach towards silver. However, any potential recovery in the price of silver could trigger a shift in investor sentiment and potentially lead to a resurgence in silver’s price.

*All currencies in the article have been converted to the South African Rand