The holdings of the iShares Silver Trust (SLV) soared to an all time high this week, while the holdings of the SPDR Gold Shares Trust (GLD) declined slightly.
The SLV saw holdings increased by 179.13 tonnes from the previous week to an all time high of 11,139.52 tonnes of silver. The previous record high holdings of the SLV was on March 10 at 10,974.06 tonnes.
The holdings of the SLV have increased significantly as the price of silver moved up strongly from the correction low of late January. Holdings of the SLV have increased by 217.95 tonnes since the beginning of the year and by a massive 734.35 tonnes since February 1st.
GLD and SLV Holdings (metric tonnes)
| 30-March-11 | Weekly Change | YTD Change | |
| GLD | 1,211.84 | -3.03 | -68.88 |
| SLV | 11,139.52 | +179.13 | +217.95 |
The SLV has gained over 38% since the January lows to close today at $36.53. The total net assets of the SLV now total $13.4 billion, an astonishing 5,095% increase from $263.5 million at the Trust’s inception in April 2006.
SLV - COURTESY YAHOO FINANCE
Gold holdings in the GLD were down slightly by 3.03 tonnes as the price of gold continues to consolidate in the low $1400 range. The GLD has seen a year to date decline of 68.88 tonnes since the first of the year and a decline of 108.63 tonnes from all time high holdings on June 29, 2010.
The value of the gold held by the GLD totals $55.5 billion. By comparison the market cap of Barrick Gold Corp, the world’s largest gold producers, is $51.5 billion.
Gold has had strong seasonal price trends over the last decade with strong rallies occurring after July into the end of the year. Based on this tendency, gold may continue to consolidate over the short term before entering its next phase up. Gold was up 30% in 2010 – a similar move in 2011 would bring gold’s price into the $1,850 range.
The GLD ended up $.46 on the day to close at $138.67, slightly below its 52 week high of $141.28.
One has to wonder if there will come a time when SLV and GLD will get sold off as people move into physical metals and won’t trust that SLV and GLD hold the physical metal.
Never did so many think that so much leased gold belonged to them.