IG Reports 166% Weekly Jump in Silver Trading as UK Notional Volume Hits £14bn
IG has reported a sharp surge in precious metals trading activity among its UK clients, with silver leading the move as notional weekly trade volume climbed to £14 billion last week.
The trading platform said the number of silver trades jumped 166% week-on-week, while the number of traders participating rose 50% over the identical period. The spike in activity comes as gold and silver prices have experienced outsized volatility, drawing attention from retail and active traders searching for momentum-driven opportunities.
Gold trading activity also rose significantly, with IG reporting a 75% week-on-week increase in the number of gold trades, as traders shifted toward precious metals during a period of comparatively subdued equity and FX market movement.
Silver Trading Activity Surges as Notional Volume Nahead Triples Week-on-Week
According to IG, silver has become a standout focus for UK traders, with activity accelerating across both trade count and participation.
The firm said the number of silver trades increased 166% week-on-week, and was up more than 2,000% month-on-month. The number of traders trading silver rose 50% week-on-week and 273% month-on-month, reflecting a broadening base of participation rather than isolated large positioning.
In notional terms, IG said UK clients traded £14 billion worth of silver last week, compared with £4.8 billion the previous week, underscoring the scale of the surge.
The jump coincides with dramatic moves in silver pricing, including sharp intraday swings that have created volatility-driven setups attractive to short-term traders.
Takeaway
Gold Trading Also Accelerates as Traders Rotate Toward Precious Metals
IG also reported strong growth in gold trading activity, reinforcing the view that precious metals have become a primary destination for traders viewking movement and momentum.
Last week, the firm said the number of gold trades rose 75% week-on-week and surged 1,318% month-on-month. Participation also expanded, with the number of traders trading gold up 34% week-on-week and 220% month-on-month.
While silver captured the strongest weekly acceleration, the gold figures indicate broader demand for metals exposure, likely reflecting both macro-driven positioning and speculative volatility trading.
Precious metals have historically attracted flows during periods of heightened uncertainty, but the scale of the reported activity suggests traders are also responding to the speed and magnitude of recent price movements.
Takeaway
IG Analyst Says Volatility in Metals Is Pulling Traders Away From Calm Equity and FX Markets
Chris Beauchamp, Chief Market Analyst UK at IG, said gold and silver have become a key destination for traders globally, driven by the scale of the moves and the availability of volatility.
“Traders all over the world have been drawn to gold and silver, as is so often the case with any market that begins to view such dramatic moves in one direction,” Beauchamp said.
He added that subdued conditions elsewhere have assisted amplify metals’ appeal. “In a period when equity and FX markets have been relatively calm, the parabolic moves in precious metals have become the go-to destination for those looking to exploit market volatility,” he said.
Beauchamp noted that silver’s resilience following sharp declines is reinforcing trader interest. “With silver up 10% in ahead trading today, it viewms that even the huge drop over the weekend will not be enough to dent the appeal of the metal, since the fundamental conditions that drove the rally in the first place remain intact,” he said.
The combination of strong price action and increased participation suggests precious metals may remain a focal point for active traders in the near term, particularly if volatility persists and other major asset classes remain rangebound.
