Silver futures fell for the third time in four sessions on Friday, tracking toward their eighth down week in the past 12 and a 30.5% decline over that period. During the session, prices reached a high of $50.725 before dropping to $48.835, putting the contract on pace for its lowest close in more than 13 months. Market projections indicate a 35 million ounce silver deficit this year—the sixth consecutive shortfall, though smaller than last year's—as total demand is forecast to decrease 5% alongside a 21% drop in solar demand. Meanwhile, monthly producer prices rose 0.3%, slightly below the 0.4% expectation. A stronger U.S. dollar, higher longer-term Treasury yields and expectations for a December Fed rate hike added further pressure ahead of next week's Fed minutes and Monday's testimony from Kevin Warsh.