Gold-backed ETFs (gold ETFs) experienced net outflows in August of 22.4 tonnes (t) (-US$1.3bn, -0.6% AUM), as North American outflows outweighed inflows into European and Asian funds. Gold faced headwinds early in August as the dollar briefly strengthened and rising Treasury yields weighed on investment flows, triggering momentum selling shortly thereafter. Gold prices recovered late in the month, but it did not spur sufficient offsetting inflows, as global holdings fell to 3,611t (US$211bn) – the lowest tonnage level since May.
Flows into global gold ETFs were marginally positive in July, with inflows of 11.1 tonnes (t) (US$669mn, +0.3% AUM). Inflows into European and Asian funds were mostly offset by outflows from large North American funds. Overall, the positive flows came alongside a recovery in gold prices, particularly in the latter half of the month amid concerns of uncertain global growth outlook and a reaffirmed commitment by central banks to continue easy money policies despite elevated inflation. Global Assets Under Management (AUM) stand at 3,636t (US$214bn), approximately 7% below the October 2020 record tonnage high of 3,909t.
Flows into global gold ETFs were mostly flat in June, with slight inflows of 2.9 tonnes (t) (US$191mn, +0.1% AUM). Inflows into North American and Asian funds were primarily offset by outflows from European funds. Overall, the positive flows came in spite of significant gold price weakness in the latter half of the month on the heels of a relatively hawkish Federal Reserve (Fed) outlook, suggesting that investors may have taken advantage of the lower price level to gain long gold exposure. Global Assets Under Management (AUM) stands at 3,624t (US$206bn), approximately 7% shy of the October 2020 record tonnage high of 3,909t.
Global gold ETFs added 61.3t tonnes (t) (US$3.4bn, 1.7% AUM) in May, reversing three straight months of net outflows. We believe this to be largely a function of investment demand increasing with the price strength of gold, along with renewed inflation concerns in the market, a weaker dollar and lower real yields. Global assets under management (AUM) stand at 3,628t (US$222bn). AUM is now only 9% shy of the August 2020 high of US$240bn and 7% shy of the October 2020 tonnage high of 3,908t.
Global gold ETFs lost 18.3t tonnes (t) (-US$1.1bn, -0.5% AUM) in April, marking outflows for five of the past six months. However, global outflows slowed significantly, as European funds added assets for the first time since January. Global assets under management (AUM) stand at 3,567t (US$203.0bn), after slipping below $200bn for the first time in over a year during March. Since the peak asset levels in November 2020, gold ETF AUM has fallen nearly 14%, with 8% coming from outflows and 6% coming from the gold price selloff in US dollar terms.
Global gold ETFs lost 107.5t tonnes (t) (-US$5.9bn, -2.9% AUM) in March, marking outflows for the fourth month out of five and the second month in a row with net outflows cracking the top 10 worst historically. Global assets under management (AUM) stand at 3,574t (US$194.5bn), back to levels last seen in mid to late Q2 2020. Since the peak asset levels in November 2020, gold ETF holdings have fallen nearly 10% in tonnage terms, on par with the approximate loss in the price of gold over the same period.
Global gold ETFs lost 84.7 tonnes (t) (-US$4.6bn, -2.0% AUM) in February, marking outflows for the third time in four months, and the seventh worst historical monthly holdings loss. Global assets under management (AUM) now stand at 3,681t (US$207bn), levels last seen in June 2020, when the price of gold was near the February closing level of US$1,743/oz.
Global gold ETFs saw inflows of 13.8 tonnes (t) (US$1bn, 0.4%) in January, after two consecutive months of outflows in November and December, which had totalled 148.8t. Global assets under management (AUM) now stands at 3,765t (US$226bn), just 4% shy of the intra-month record 3,915.8t (US$244bn) set in early November.
By any measure, gold-backed ETFs and similar products (gold ETFs) had a remarkable year in 2020. Globally, gold ETFs had record annual net inflows of US$47.9bn, or 877 tonnes(t), collectively increasing their gold holdings by over a third, reaching all-time highs in tonnage (3,752t).
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Outflows narrowed in March
Gold ETFs reverse course in August driven by North American outflows
Gold-backed ETFs (gold ETFs) experienced net outflows in August of 22.4 tonnes (t) (-US$1.3bn, -0.6% AUM), as North American outflows outweighed inflows into European and Asian funds. Gold faced headwinds early in August as the dollar briefly strengthened and rising Treasury yields weighed on investment flows, triggering momentum selling shortly thereafter. Gold prices recovered late in the month, but it did not spur sufficient offsetting inflows, as global holdings fell to 3,611t (US$211bn) – the lowest tonnage level since May.
Gold ETFs continue growth with slight inflows in July
Flows into global gold ETFs were marginally positive in July, with inflows of 11.1 tonnes (t) (US$669mn, +0.3% AUM). Inflows into European and Asian funds were mostly offset by outflows from large North American funds. Overall, the positive flows came alongside a recovery in gold prices, particularly in the latter half of the month amid concerns of uncertain global growth outlook and a reaffirmed commitment by central banks to continue easy money policies despite elevated inflation. Global Assets Under Management (AUM) stand at 3,636t (US$214bn), approximately 7% below the October 2020 record tonnage high of 3,909t.
Gold ETF flows slow in June but finish positive in Q2
Flows into global gold ETFs were mostly flat in June, with slight inflows of 2.9 tonnes (t) (US$191mn, +0.1% AUM). Inflows into North American and Asian funds were primarily offset by outflows from European funds. Overall, the positive flows came in spite of significant gold price weakness in the latter half of the month on the heels of a relatively hawkish Federal Reserve (Fed) outlook, suggesting that investors may have taken advantage of the lower price level to gain long gold exposure. Global Assets Under Management (AUM) stands at 3,624t (US$206bn), approximately 7% shy of the October 2020 record tonnage high of 3,909t.
Gold ETF inflows catch up to gold price strength
Global gold ETFs added 61.3t tonnes (t) (US$3.4bn, 1.7% AUM) in May, reversing three straight months of net outflows. We believe this to be largely a function of investment demand increasing with the price strength of gold, along with renewed inflation concerns in the market, a weaker dollar and lower real yields. Global assets under management (AUM) stand at 3,628t (US$222bn). AUM is now only 9% shy of the August 2020 high of US$240bn and 7% shy of the October 2020 tonnage high of 3,908t.
Gold ETF outflows continue, but slow with gold price strength
Global gold ETFs lost 18.3t tonnes (t) (-US$1.1bn, -0.5% AUM) in April, marking outflows for five of the past six months. However, global outflows slowed significantly, as European funds added assets for the first time since January. Global assets under management (AUM) stand at 3,567t (US$203.0bn), after slipping below $200bn for the first time in over a year during March. Since the peak asset levels in November 2020, gold ETF AUM has fallen nearly 14%, with 8% coming from outflows and 6% coming from the gold price selloff in US dollar terms.
North American gold ETF funds drove 86% of Q1 net outflows
Global gold ETFs lost 107.5t tonnes (t) (-US$5.9bn, -2.9% AUM) in March, marking outflows for the fourth month out of five and the second month in a row with net outflows cracking the top 10 worst historically. Global assets under management (AUM) stand at 3,574t (US$194.5bn), back to levels last seen in mid to late Q2 2020. Since the peak asset levels in November 2020, gold ETF holdings have fallen nearly 10% in tonnage terms, on par with the approximate loss in the price of gold over the same period.
Gold ETFs lost 2% of holdings in February as gold fell and rates rose
Global gold ETFs lost 84.7 tonnes (t) (-US$4.6bn, -2.0% AUM) in February, marking outflows for the third time in four months, and the seventh worst historical monthly holdings loss. Global assets under management (AUM) now stand at 3,681t (US$207bn), levels last seen in June 2020, when the price of gold was near the February closing level of US$1,743/oz.
Gold ETF inflows total almost 14t in January as outlook remains supportive for gold investment
Global gold ETFs saw inflows of 13.8 tonnes (t) (US$1bn, 0.4%) in January, after two consecutive months of outflows in November and December, which had totalled 148.8t. Global assets under management (AUM) now stands at 3,765t (US$226bn), just 4% shy of the intra-month record 3,915.8t (US$244bn) set in early November.
Record gold-backed ETF inflows of 877t in 2020 took holdings to all-time highs
By any measure, gold-backed ETFs and similar products (gold ETFs) had a remarkable year in 2020. Globally, gold ETFs had record annual net inflows of US$47.9bn, or 877 tonnes(t), collectively increasing their gold holdings by over a third, reaching all-time highs in tonnage (3,752t).
Gold ETF outflows for the first time in a year