Spring Festival sees healthy gold consumption…but what lies ahead?
The extended 2024 Chinese New Year’s holiday saw healthy gold consumption. Looking ahead, our model predicts stable gold jewellery demand in 2024. And gold bar and coin investment may stay above their long-term average, with some further upside potential.
India’s gold market update: muted consumption demand
International and domestic gold prices alike retreated in January. Prices nevertheless remain high and this has been impacting gold jewellery demand in India. Gold imports too have moderated. Domestic gold prices began to trade at a premium to international prices since late January following nearly three months of trading at a discount. Meanwhile, the RBI made the highest monthly purchase of gold in eighteen months in January and Indian gold ETFs continue to see inflows.
China’s gold market in January: wholesale gold demand jumped, official gold reserves rose further
During the first month of 2024, wholesale gold demand in China jumped ahead of the Chinese New Year’s holiday in mid-February, recording the strongest January ever and lifting the local gold price premium. Meanwhile, the PBoC stretched their gold buying spree to 15 months and gold ETFs in the region once again attracted inflows.
2024 began with continued outflows
Global gold ETFs began 2024 with outflows of US$2.8bn in January, extending their losing streak to eight months. North American (-US$2.3bn) led global outflows and Europe (-US$730mn) also experienced heavy losses. A bright spot in the data came via positive inflows from Asia (+US$214mn).
Gold Demand Trends Full Year 2023
The World Gold Council’s Gold Demand Trends report reveals that annual gold demand (excluding OTC) fell to 4,448t in 2023, down just 5% from a notably strong 2022. When factoring in demand from the OTC markets and other sources, total demand climbed to a new annual record at 4,899t.
Unearthed: Gold in technology throughout the ages
In this episode of the World Gold Council’s Unearthed podcast, hosts John Reade and Joe Cavatoni engage with Dr. Trevor Keel, Director of Material Value Ltd and Consultant for the World Gold Council.
China's Gold Market in 2023: Demand improved and premiums rose
In 2023, China’s wholesale gold demand improved and the PBoC’s gold reserves kept rising. Meanwhile, the local gold price premium saw a sizable increase.
December outflow compounds 2023 losses
Global physically backed gold ETFs continued to see outflows (-US$1bn, -10t) in December as European losses overshadowed inflows elsewhere. At the end of 2023, their collective holdings stood at 3,225t, a 244t decline during the year. But total assets under management of global gold ETFs rose 6% to US$214bn thanks to a 15% gold price increase in 2023.
