Concern over global uncertainties prompt exchange traded funds to
go for gold
Mon Dec 02 2019
The last few months saw a structural change in the gold market with
investors taking refuge in time-tested havens such as the gold-backed exchange
traded funds (ETFs) amid concerns over slowing global economy and as
uncertainties on account of US-China trade war loom.
Reeling under high prices, demand for the yellow metal in the
July-September quarter dipped sharply by 32 per cent to 123 tonnes (183
tonnes), the lowest third quarter demand since 2005, while investments in
physical gold in the form of gold bars and coins plunged 35 per cent to 22
tonnes (34 tonnes).
Prices apart, an increase in import duty from 10 per cent to 12.5 per
cent has also been been blamed for the lower demand. Even worse is demand
failed to pick up in the festive month of October with India importing 38
tonnes of gold, down 33 per cent from 57 tonnes a year ago.
Somasundaram PR, managing director, World Gold Council said it is
really intriguing that the gold demand has fallen so sharply even while sales
of premium cars and smartphones have gone up substantially in the slowing
economy.
Calling it as a crunch on middle-class, he said that the low general
consumer confidence and sharp spike in gold prices had taken a heavy toll on
gold demand. The council also warned that gold demand is expected to drop to a
mere eight per cent from a year ago to close to 700 tonnes in the year 2019,
the lowest since 2016.
High prices have also resulted in more people selling their gold in
the market. Total recycled gold in the third quarter stood at 36.5 tonnes, up
59 per cent from a year ago. Overall gold recycling is set to touch a new high
this year as in the last three quarters, the country had recycled 90.5 tonnes
of gold, crossing the entire last year’s recycling level of 87 tonnes.
So who is buying gold and keeping prices higher?
Gold prices failed to lose momentum during the quarter breaching the
Rs 35,000 per 10 gram logged mid-July to Rs 38,795 by the end of September
quarter. On December 1, the price of gold stood at Rs 39,300 per 10 gram.
Interestingly, holdings in gold-backed ETF hit an all-time high of 2,855 tonnes
with an inflow of 258 tonnes, highest quarterly inflow since the first quarter
of 2016.
To this, Somasundaram said the inflow will remain high as there is a
strong fear of the US economy slipping into a recession ahead of the US
presidential election slated in second half of next year. It was only because
of the sharp surge in demand from ETFs that global gold demand has risen by
three per cent in the third quarter of 2019.
Should investors continue to purchase Gold ETF?
Yes, say financial advisors. In the midst of heightened global
uncertainty and headwinds in play, where the mood of equity market is hard to
predict, it makes good sense to go for gold-backed ETFs. Benefits such as — low
cost, better resale value as its sold at prevailing market price and its
quality make ETFs a good choice.
Furthermore, investors also do not have to dole out premium unlike
physical gold, where an investor would pay for making charges additionally.
However, one may allocate only 10-15 per cent of their entire portfolio to gold
through a gold ETF with a long-term investment horizon.
Source: https://www.newindianexpress.com