Silver rate today, Feb. 19 -- Silver prices have been swinging between gains and losses this week so far as amid thin trade conditions, triggered by the closure of key Asian markets for the Lunar New Year, drained liquidity from global bullion trading.

Unlike gold, which enjoys diversified demand across geographies and investor classes, silver is far more exposed to disruptions in Asian participation, particularly from China.

The Lunar New Year holidays have shut down several major Asian financial and commodity hubs, sharply limiting participation in precious metals trading. Mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea stock markets are closed for the festivities. In China, the Shanghai Stock Exchange and the Shenzhen St...