Silver prices fell 1.32% to approximately $75.22 per ounce on May 18, 2026. Disappointing economic data from China triggered the decline by fueling fears of slowing industrial demand.
China’s industrial production rose 4.1% year-on-year, missing market expectations. Retail sales grew by 0.2%, also falling short of forecasts. Fixed-asset investment contracted by 1.6% during the first four months of the year.
The weak data weighed on the broader industrial metals complex, sending copper to a one-week low. A strengthening U.S. dollar and rising bond yields further dampened the appeal of non-yielding assets. These factors overshadowed potential safe-haven bids from ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Silver faces a complex outlook as weakening industrial demand signals compete with a structural supply deficit. Ongoing geopolitical risks also continue to impact market sentiment.