Gold’s faring extremely well as a haven asset, with inflows into exchange-traded funds (ETFs) hitting 1 000 t since holdings bottomed in early 2016 after a prolonged unwind in the wake of the global financial crisis.
Total known ETF holdings expanded to 2 424.9 t on Wednesday, the highest since 2013, following inflows over the past three years and a continued build-up in 2019, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Current assets are about 1 000 t higher than the post financial crisis nadir of 1 425.1 t.
Gold has surged this year as investors seek protection from slowing global growth, the incessant trade war, and turmoil in the bond market that suggests the US may be headed for another recession. The rise has been aided by a rate cut from the Federal Reserve and expectations more will soon follow. This week, veteran investor Mark Mobius gave a blanket endorsement to buying bullion, saying accumulating the precious metal will reap long-term rewards.
Others are also bullish. Goldman Sachs Group has said prices will climb to $1 600 an ounce over the next six months. The bank’s global head of commodities research, Jeffrey Currie, said that gains are likely be fueled by demand for ETFs as well as increased central-bank purchases. Spot gold traded at about $1 500 on Thursday, up 17% this year.