Gold trading volumes boom
Global gold trading volumes across various markets rocketed in April, averaging US$441bn/day, 48% higher m/m. Amidst the strong gold price rally, all markets witnessed significant m/m rises in trading activities. LBMA OTC turnovers reached US$181bn/day, 31% higher m/m and notably higher than the 2024 average. Exchange-traded activities jumped by 67% compared to March, with the COMEX (+42% m/m) and the Shanghai Futures Exchange (+122% m/m) leading the charge. Although gold ETF trading volumes are smaller than other sectors, they saw the greatest m/m increase of all, surging 120%.
Total net longs of COMEX gold futures fell 30% m/m to 566t by the end of April. Net long positions held by money managers moved lower almost each week, reaching 360t by the end of the month and 35% below the 2024 average. This is mainly driven by a sharp decline in total longs – likely due to profit taking as gold refreshed new records – and a mild rise in shorts.