Juan Carlos Artigas

Regional CEO (Americas) and Global Head of Research World Gold Council

Ray Jia

Head of Research (Asia Pacific, ex-India) and Deputy Head of Trade Engagement (China) World Gold Council

Taylor Burnette

Research Lead, Americas World Gold Council

You asked, we answered: Has gold's performance structurally changed?

Gold’s volatility has markedly increased in 2026; however, similar episodes have occurred in periods of risk with volatility usually normalising within a few months. Bid-ask spreads have also notably risen since 2024; however, barring unusually high spikes in off market hours, the gold market still offers sizable liquidity through record trading volumes and two-way market activity. Amid a visible increase in the bond-equity correlation, gold remains a valuable strategic asset and portfolio diversifier even when accounting for its higher volatility environment.
Blog Posted 1 month 3 weeks ago

Weekly Markets Monitor

Weekly Markets Monitor - Conflict pressure mounts

Geopolitics and rising energy prices dominated markets last week, raising stagflation concerns. Early signs of fallout from the Middle East conflict are emerging, with softer PMIs across several economies. In the US, consumer sentiment weakened as inflation expectations rose. UK inflation held steady in February but faces upward pressure from higher energy costs, while Japan’s inflation eased on subsidies. China’s industrial profits rose, pointing to a firmer recovery
Blog Posted 2 months 1 week ago

Weekly Markets Monitor

Weekly Markets Monitor: Crisis hedge

Last week, global developments were marked by inflationary pressures in advanced economies, uneven growth momentum, and a sharp escalation of geo-political tensions. US price pressures remained firm despite softer activity. Europe posted mixed inflation and patchy demand, China signaled cautious domestic demand, while India’s growth stayed robust. Escalating US–Israel–Iran tensions disrupted key energy and transport routes, heightening geopolitical and market risks.
Blog Posted 3 months 1 week ago

Weekly Markets Monitor

Weekly Markets Monitor: A silver lining playbook?

Last week’s updates pointed to an uneven but resilient global economic backdrop and persistent policy uncertainty. The US economy slowed in Q4, the trade deficit widened, inflation firmed, Fed divisions emerged and the Supreme court blocked global tariffs. Europe and Japan showed improving momentum and easing price pressures, while in India activity stayed steady, though trade deficits widened sharply.
Blog Posted 3 months 2 weeks ago

Weekly Markets Monitor

Weekly Markets Monitor: The tail is wagging

Global data last week delivered a mixed set of signals. Stronger headline job gains and sticky inflation in the US dampened prospects for near-term Fed easing, even as weak retail sales and sizeable downward payroll revisions signaled softer underlying momentum. Europe’s growth diverged with the UK stagnating and the Eurozone steady, while in Asia Japan’s real wages remained under pressure, China’s weak demand and property slump persisted, and India’s inflation climbed.
Blog Posted 3 months 3 weeks ago