Gold declined marginally by 1% in August, in the face of higher yields and a stronger dollar. Sentiment remained weak for most of the month as ETFs continued to lose AUM while COMEX managed money net long futures positions fell to a five month low.

Physically-backed gold ETFs experienced net outflows for the third straight month, losing US$2.5bn in August. As a result, total AUM fell 3% to US$209bn whilst holdings dropped by 46t to 3,341t. 

Gold has a key role as a strategic long term investment and as a mainstay allocation in a well-diversified portfolio. Investors have been able to recognise much of gold’s value over time by maintaining a long-term allocation and taking advantage of its safe-haven status during periods of economic uncertainty.