Silver: the “Stellar” Precious Metal
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Silver: The “Stellar” Precious Metal Precious Metal Insights Featuring the Aberdeen Standard Physical Silver Shares ETF (SIVR) 02 of 04 Precious Metal Insights Silver is widely regarded as one of the world’s most versatile precious metals.1 The most commonly encountered form of silver is “sterling,” which is 92.5% pure. In fact, the word “sterling” is derived from the Old English “steorra,” meaning star. This is believed to be due to the influx of new coins with a small star entering circulation in 11th century England following the Norman Conquest. Silver has also come into its own as an investment, providing financial advisors with many reasons for including it in client portfolios. To better familiarize you and your clients with the “other shiny metal,” here are a few salient facts about silver. Supply2 & Demand More than 80% of annual silver supply comes from mine production, with recycling comprising most of the residual. It may also be thought of as a secondary metal since 75% of mined silver comes as a by-product of mining for other metals, such as lead, zinc, copper, and gold. The majority of silver’s demand stems from:3 55% industry & technology Silver’s unique characteristics include its outstanding thermal and electrical conductivity, along with its ductility, malleability, optical reflectivity and antibacterial properties. These features make the precious metal invaluable as an input in myriad industrial applications including electrical components, batteries, photovoltaics (solar panels), auto parts, pollution abatement technology, ethylene oxide (an important chemical precursor), as well as brazing alloys and solders. 19% investments Retail bar and coin purchases are additional sales drivers for silver globally, with top demand coming from India and the United States. Like gold, the adoption of physically backed exchange traded products (ETFs) in recent years has expanded demand and accessibility for investors to gain exposure to silver. 26% jewelry & silverware Jewelry remains a core source of demand for silver and likely its most commonly known usage. Silver is often used a primary metal in jewelry, as well as a component for gold alloys, such as white gold. Did you know? 47 Ag The chemical symbol for silver, AG, come The compound silver iodide has been used The words for silver and money from the Latin word, “Argentum,” for cloud seeding, which cause clouds to are the same in over fourteen which means shining.4 produce rain and try to control hurricanes.4 different languages.4 1 Mining Global 7.15.15 2 World Silver Survey 2020, The Silver Institute 3 World Silver Survey 2020, The Silver Institute, ASI 4 http://chemistry.about.com/od/10elementfacts/fl/10-Silver-Facts.htm Precious Metal Insights 03 of 04 Portfolio considerations Our product Silver is a risk management tool since it helps diversify equity The Aberdeen Standard Physical Silver Shares ETF (SIVR) provides exposure and equity risk. It’s also a proven hedge against event and cost-effective, convenient access to silver in the form of physical bars tail risk. Like gold, silver acts as a quasi-currency given its historical held in a secured vault in London, which is inspected twice a year. usage by governments as money. Silver is also considered a hard As of June 30, 2020 asset and can be effective as a store of value by preserving purchasing power.5 Inception Date July 24, 2009 0.30% Key drivers for silver include:6 Expense Ratio Assets Under Management $502,764,849.30 Gold With a correlation of over 70% to gold, silver rides on the yellow Creation Unit Size 50,000 shares metal’s coat-tails, usually moving the same direction, but making Vault Location London, United Kingdom larger movements in both directions.7 Custodian JP Morgan Monetary policy Trustee The Bank of New York Mellon Silver is likely to be a beneficiary of continuing loose monetary policy as investors seek hard assets that cannot be debased. Economic cycle Silver’s varied applications can help support its price when growth cycles in one industry are weaker than in others. It’s also closely correlated to the economic business cycle and industrial demand. The majority of demand (over 70%) comes from cyclical sectors (industrial and technological), positioning silver to benefit from the drive to energy efficiency. Benefits of The Aberdeen Standard Physical Silver Shares ETF (SIVR): Lowest cost silver ETF — Physically backed with ETF structure is easily 0.30% expense ratio vaulted security accessible and liquid To learn more about SIVR and all that Aberdeen Standard Investments has to offer, call us at 1-800-485-2294 or visit aberdeenstandardetfs.us 5, 6 ASI, 5.6.20 7 Bloomberg, ASI 5.6.20 Visit us online: aberdeenstandardetfs.us IMPORTANT INFORMATION PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT AN INDICATION OF FUTURE RESULTS. The statements and opinions expressed are those of the author and are as of the date of this report. All information is historical and not indicative of future results and subject to change. The reader should not assume that an investment in any securities and/or precious metal mentioned was or would be profitable in the future. This information is not a recommendation to buy or sell. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The Aberdeen Standard Silver ETF Trust is not an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or a commodity pool for purposes of the Commodity Exchange Act. Shares of the Trust are not subject to the same regulatory requirements as mutual funds. Commodities generally are volatile and are not suitable for all investors. Trusts focusing on a single commodity generally experience greater volatility. Please refer to the prospectus for complete information regarding all risks associated with the Trust. Shares in the Trust are not FDIC insured and may lose value and have no bank guarantee. The value of the shares relates directly to the value of the precious metal held by each Trust and fluctuations in the price could materially adversely affect investment in the shares. Several factors may affect the price of precious metals, including: • A change in economic conditions, such as a recession, can adversely affect the price of the precious metal held by the Trust. Some metals are used in a wide range of industrial applications, and an economic downturn could have a negative impact on its demand and, consequently, its price and the price of the shares; • Investors’ expectations with respect to the rate of inflation; • Currency exchange rates; • Interest rates; • Investment and trading activities of hedge funds and commodity funds; and • Global or regional political, economic or financial events and situations. Should there be an increase in the level of hedge activity of the precious metal held by the Trust or producing companies, it could cause a decline in world precious metal prices, adversely affecting the price of the shares. Also, should the speculative community take a negative view towards the precious metal held by the Trust, it could cause a decline in prices, negatively impacting the price of the shares. There is a risk that part or all of the Trust’s physical metal could be lost, damaged or stolen. Failure by the custodian or sub-custodian to exercise due care in the safekeeping of the metals held by the Trust could result in a loss to the Trust. The Trust will not insure its metal and shareholders cannot be assured that the custodian will maintain adequate insurance or any insurance with respect to the metal held by the custodian on behalf of the Trust. Consequently, a loss may be suffered with respect to the Trust’s metal that is not covered by insurance. Investors buy and sell shares on a secondary market (i.e., not directly from Trust). Only market makers or “authorized participants” may trade directly with the Trust, typically in blocks of 50k to 100k shares. Diversification does not eliminate the risk of experiencing investment losses. Commodities generally are volatile and are not suitable for all investors. Carefully consider the Fund’s investment objectives, risk factors, and fees and expenses before investing. This material must be accompanied or preceded by a prospectus. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. ALPS Distributors, Inc. is the marketing agent.. ALPS Distributors, Inc. and Aberdeen Standard Investments are not affiliated entities. 04 of 04 Precious Metal Insights Ref: US-300720-122607-2 35619-0520-PHL ETF001560 7/21/21.