Gold Market Commentary

Inflation, falling yields and the US dollar pushed gold higher

Marking a turnaround from the first three months of the year, gold rebounded 4.5% in April to finish the month at US$1,768/oz - its highest monthly closing level since January and its first positive monthly return since December 2020.

North American gold ETF funds drove 86% of Q1 net outflows

Global gold ETFs lost 107.5t tonnes (t) (-US$5.9bn, -2.9% AUM) in March, marking outflows for the fourth month out of five and the second month in a row with net outflows cracking the top 10 worst historically. Global assets under management (AUM) stand at 3,574t (US$194.5bn), back to levels last seen in mid to late Q2 2020. Since the peak asset levels in November 2020, gold ETF holdings have fallen nearly 10% in tonnage terms, on par with the approximate loss in the price of gold over the same period.

Gold Market Commentary

A sharp rise in US interest rates and a stronger dollar have weighed on gold recently. But a rebound in economic activity and a lower gold price have provided opportunities for consumers and strategic investors alike.

Gold ETFs lost 2% of holdings in February as gold fell and rates rose

Global gold ETFs lost 84.7 tonnes (t) (-US$4.6bn, -2.0% AUM) in February, marking outflows for the third time in four months, and the seventh worst historical monthly holdings loss. Global assets under management (AUM) now stand at 3,681t (US$207bn), levels last seen in June 2020, when the price of gold was near the February closing level of US$1,743/oz.

Gold Outlook 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic raised uncertainty by both compounding existing risks while creating new ones. But by the end of last year, investors were optimistic that the worst was over.