Juan Carlos Artigas

Global Head of Research World Gold Council

The Fed cuts rates, increasing gold’s allure

The US Federal Reserve (Fed) announced an emergency 50bp rate cut yesterday, bringing the Fed funds rate down to a 1-1.25% range, in response to ongoing concerns about the potential impact of the coronavirus outbreak to the global economy. Treasury bond rates followed suit, with the 10-year note hovering 1% at the time of writing – an all-time historical low

Posted 3 years 10 months ago

Adam Perlaky

Senior Analyst, Americas World Gold Council

Despite last week’s selloff, market shifts could bode well for gold prices

The stock market embraced the weakest one-week performance since the financial crisis last week on the back of growing concerns of the continued spread of the coronavirus across the globe. Despite the risk off-moves, gold was lower by more than 3% last week, which is historically unusual during these types of movements. There are a few potential reasons for the weakness.

Posted 3 years 10 months ago

Krishan Gopaul

Senior Analyst, EMEA World Gold Council

ECB review signals little change in short-term

At the end of January, the new head of the European Central Bank (ECB), Christine Lagarde, announced the launch of a year-long strategic review of the bank’s monetary policy strategy. Stemming from this, there has been much discussion recently about the ECB’s existing “below but close to 2%” inflation target, and whether this needs to be made more specific, both in aim and measurement. 

Posted 3 years 11 months ago

Juan Carlos Artigas

Global Head of Research World Gold Council

Key trends to watch as we conclude 2019

As 2019 comes to an end and 2020 begins, we believe that:

  • Financial and geopolitical uncertainty combined with low interest rates will likely continue supporting gold investment demand
  • Net gold purchases by central banks will likely remain robust even if they are lower than the record highs seen in recent quarters
  • Momentum and speculative positioning may keep gold price volatility high
  • Gold price volatility and expectations of weaker economic growth may result in softer consumer demand near term
  • But structural economic reforms in India and China will support demand in the long term.

Note: our comprehensive annual Outlook will be published by mid-January 2020.

Posted 4 years 1 month ago

Alistair Hewitt

Head of Market Intelligence World Gold Council

Gold: thriving on lower interest rates

It’s old news that the world economy is suffering. Ongoing trade tensions between the US China (and elsewhere too), the draining Brexit saga, as well as a myriad of other geopolitical uncertainties, have taken their toll. Global growth is slowing, and investors are downbeat on world economic prospects. Recession in many major economies is now a real possibility... As a result, central banks around the world have been busy cutting rates.

Posted 4 years 2 months ago