Citigroup Inc (NYSE: C) (ETR: TRVC) is among those leading the charge in bullish silver pricing predictions. Analysts from the financial institution said this week that they expect US$150 ounces within the next three months. Alongside safe haven appeal and clean tech demands, they perceive a high rate of Chinese buying as a major catalyst propelling the rally.
These analysts described silver’s current behaviour as being like “gold on steroids” and said that the metal could trade as high as US$170 per ounce by the end of the year. Silver’s 57 per cent rise year-to date has significantly trumped gold’s 18 per cent ascent since Jan. 1.
This sentiment echoes broader market enthusiasm as silver’s price has climbed by more than 200 per cent over the past year to more than US$113 today. As a result, retail investors have been flocking to exchange traded funds such as the iShares Silver Trust (NYSEARCA: SLV) and abrdn Physical Silver Shares ETF (NYSEARCA: SIVR).
BMO Capital Markets amplified this optimism in their latest client-oriented precious metals note. Analysts from the investment banking subsidiary of Bank of Montreal (TSE: BMO) (NYSE: BMO) foresee silver hitting US$160 later this year and potentially ascending to US$220 next year in a bullish scenario.
Moreover, Bank of America Corp (NYSE: BAC) (FRA: NCB) has set its target at US$170. Other financial firms that anticipate the price of gold to continue rising, such as Deutsche Bank AG (NYSE: DB) (FRA: DBK), Societe Generale (OTCMKTS: SCGLY) (ETR: SGE) and several more, have been contributing to silver’s rally indirectly through promoting the safe haven appeal of precious metals.
"Gold on steroids."
After silver's best day since 1985, Citi ramps up its 0-3 month forecast by 50% to $150/ounce.
"Silver is being driven by capital allocation — it is behaving like 'gold squared' or 'gold on steroids'" pic.twitter.com/9jQ3GNlCUy
— Matt Egan (@MattEganCNN) January 27, 2026
Read more: NevGold Corp. advances toward gold-antimony resource with expanded Nevada drilling
Bearish voices grow louder nonetheless
Despite the positive outlook many prominent banks and market researchers have, multiple firms have been warning of a major correction and saying now is the time to sell and take profits.
As reported by Kitco News, Saxo Bank leading commodity strategist Ole Hansen stated this week that we were likely entering bubble territory with silver. He said investors were better off sticking with gold.
Furthermore, analysts from HSBC Holdings PLC (NYSE: HSBC) (LON: HSBA) are warning of high volatility and potential corrections if global tensions should subside.
German precious metals firm Heraeus has also echoed this caution, highlighting what it perceives as overbuying and an increasing rate of copper replacing silver in solar industry components as a cost saving measure.
The market is currently sitting at a precarious peak as many chase additional upside while others fear sharp reversals in pricing.
Read more: NevGold’s latest discovery represents near term antimony production potential
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