• Goldhub
  • Insights
  • Changing ECB strategy could be supportive for European gold investment
  • Changing ECB strategy could be supportive for European gold investment

    9 July, 2021


    In a move which brings it closer in line with the US approach, the European Central Bank (ECB) has decided to adopt the tolerance for inflation overshooting its target. But the ECB has also gone a step further; it has also raised its inflation target from “below, but close to, 2%,” to simply 2%. This move may give the ECB more room to keep accommodative monetary policy in place for longer to help support the region’s nascent economic recovery.


    Euro area harmonised index of consumer prices*


    *Data as of June 2021.
    Source: Bloomberg, World Gold Council

    What does this mean for European investors, who have been watching the wrangling within the ECB over the direction of monetary policy for months now? Well, it seems further indication of the central bank commitment to an ultra-loose monetary environment – i.e. more asset purchases and ultra-low interest rates – until it is comfortable that the economic recovery is well-established.

    This, in our view, maintains a supportive environment for gold for three key reasons:

    Despite concerns that central banks may be wavering in their commitment to loose monetary policy following recent jumps in inflation, it seems the ECB are doubling-down. Given what this might mean for monetary policy going forward, we believe that gold investment among European investors will remain well supported.