Gold Demand Hits Historic $100 Billion Milestone Amid Geopolitical Tensions

As a seasoned analyst with over two decades of experience in global finance, I find myself increasingly intrigued by the current state of the gold market. The historic milestone achieved by gold demand in Q3, surpassing $100 billion for the first time, is a testament to the ongoing geopolitical tensions and the relentless pursuit of safe-haven assets.


In a recent report by the World Gold Council (WGC), it was revealed that gold demand exceeded $100 billion for the first time ever in the third quarter. This remarkable achievement was driven by increased demand due to geopolitical unrest and investors seeking safety, which pushed the price of gold to unprecedented highs.

Gold demand increased by 5% compared to the same period last year, reaching approximately 1,313 metric tons, as reported by Bloomberg. This surge in demand caused the value of gold to skyrocket by a significant 35%. The strength of gold demand has pushed its price beyond $2,780, and gold funds experienced an influx of around $3 billion last week.

This year, the value of the precious metal has consistently increased each month, except for brief pauses in January and June. The reason behind its continuous upward trend is the escalating demand for it, coupled with geopolitical uncertainties arising from ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, and the forthcoming US Presidential election.

In simpler terms, Western-based gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have jumped on the gold bandwagon this past quarter, drawing in approximately 95 metric tons of global investments – marking the first positive inflow since early 2022. Despite some uncertainty from the World Gold Council regarding whether ETF demand will continue into the fourth quarter, they posit that potential further Federal Reserve interest rate decreases could keep investor enthusiasm alive.

On the other hand, conventional sources of gold demand have shown slower growth or even declined. The investment in gold bars and coins dropped by 9% compared to last year, mostly because of decreased interest in these products in China and the Middle East. Conversely, India saw a surge in demand for gold bars and coins after they reduced import taxes.

The report indicates that the consumption of gold jewelry dropped by 12% compared to the previous year. However, the worth of the demand for it surged by 13%, totaling more than $36 billion. In addition, central bank gold purchases decreased by 8% during the third quarter, amounting to approximately 186 metric tons. This decrease may be due to a rise in price causing a temporary halt in buying.

Despite this, demand for gold has remained exceptionally high, reaching levels last seen during the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Notably, central banks such as those of Poland, Hungary, and India have emerged as significant purchasers of gold.

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2024-10-31 00:16