Insights

In this special episode of "Unearthed," hosts John Reade and Joe Cavatoni from the World Gold Council take listeners to the London Bullion Market Association Conference in Barcelona.

Central banks’ gold buying slowed in October but did nothing to alter the overall trend of robust buying that has captured the attention of gold investors. Reported global net purchases totalled 42 tonnes (t) during the month, 41% lower than September’s revised total of 72t, but still 23% above the January-September monthly average of 34t.

Join the World Gold Council’s market strategists for episode one of The Unearthed Podcast - with Lori Heinel, State Street Global Advisors’ Global Chief investment Officer. Together, we’ll unearth golden insights spanning macroeconomics, investment and consumer trends, geopolitics, technology, trust, supply chains and more.

The LBMA Gold Price AM in USD and the Shanghai Gold Benchmark PM (SHAUPM) in RMB bounced higher, both recording the strongest monthly gains since March. The local gold price premium fell from its record high, possibly driven by weaker gold demand during the month.

In Q2’23 the gold miners’ global average all-in sustaining cost (AISC) continued to climb, rising to US$1,315/oz. This represents an increase of 1% q/q and 6% y/y, maintaining the overall upward trend which began in Q1’21.

• Reported global central bank gold reserves, via the IMF and publicly available sources, rose by a net 77t in September
• Gross sales (1t) were dwarfed by gross purchases (78t), highlighting the strength of buying

The local gold price premium soared to unseen levels in September and the PBoC extended its gold reserve rising streak to 11 months.

Gold has gained 3% this week largely attributed to an escalation of geopolitical tensions linked to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Central banks collectively increased their gold reserves in August for the third consecutive month. They reported adding 77t to global official reserves during the month, a 38% up-tick from July’s buying. Recent buying has reinforced our confidence that the long-term trend of healthy central bank demand remains in place.

Determining the value of gold can at times make potential investors hesitant. Unable to judge what the price might do, reduces confidence in making an informed decision. Recently, gold in Australian Dollars (AUD) reached its highest ever price and breached A$3,000. While dipping slightly by the end of the first half of 2023, when is the right time to buy, or even increase, a gold allocation into a portfolio?

When I did my own independent, online research, I found that the information available on the web can be confusing and, in many ways, misleading if not downright inaccurate. This blog is a very simple and concise summary, for anyone interested in achieving the benefits of gold in their retirement account.

China’s local gold price premium has rocketed to previously unseen levels, reaching US$121/oz on 14 September. And August’s US$41/oz monthly average already marked a record since the Shanghai Gold Exchange’s establishment in 2002.

We’re delighted to contribute another thought-leader article published in Financial Investigator’s highly regarded magazine. In their September issue, we review the notion that whilst bonds may be en vogue, gold never goes out of style. The article supports our ongoing belief that gold has a key role to play as a strategic long-term investment and mainstay allocation within a well-diversified portfolio.

Expectations for the end of the BoJ’s negative policy rate intensified

The BoJ relaxed its yield curve control (YCC) program in late July. Governor Ueda’s first surprise move since taking the wheel: he effectively doubled the YCC’s upper limit to 1%, while keeping the policy rate unchanged at -0.1%. This led to surges in both the 10-year JGB yield and its volatility. 

Gold prices quoted in USD and RMB headed in different directions in August. Major factors including rising US Treasury yields and a strong dollar weighed on the international gold price in USD. But the Chinese currency weakness, which depreciated by 2% against the dollar in the month, led to a mild increase in the RMB gold price.

Having reported a return to net buying in June, the latest data shows global central banks continued to add to their gold reserves in July. Central banks reported healthy net purchases of 55t during the month.

Amid economic uncertainty Australian investors have, so far this year, been reallocating to fixed income assets. Although currently attractive, persistent inflationary pressure can bring risks to both the growth outlook and return for these assets. Gold should be considered as a long-term strategic asset alongside bonds as it provides excellent returns in a wide range of economic scenarios.

A lot has been made of the convergence of yields for cash, bonds and equities (on an earnings yield basis), with the higher yield on offer in the cash space leading many investors to reassess their portfolio exposures.