Gold ETFs surpass 1000 t of new demand in 2020

Regional overview

Gold was one of several major assets, including stocks and broad-based commodities, that started the quarter strongly, reversed course in September, but closed the quarter higher. This was mirrored by a stronger US dollar that finished the quarter nearly 4% lower.

North American funds led global inflows once again, up 34.6 t (US$2.2 billion, 1.8% AUM). After seeing outflows in August, European funds added 26 t (US$1.9 billion, 2.0%) in September. Asian funds added 6.8 t (US$432 million, 5.9% AUM) as two new funds launched in China for a second straight month, bringing the total number of new funds in the region to seven this year. Safe-haven demand and strong year to date returns in the domestic gold price fostered Indian fund inflows during the month. Finally, funds listed in other regions experienced small inflows of 0.6 t (US$23 million, 0.6% AUM).

Strong Q3 inflows

Gold ETF holdings grew 7% during 3Q20, adding 273 t or US$16.4 billion in assets as the price of gold finished nearly 7% higher during the same period. North American funds remained the primary recipients of inflows. However, inflows in Asia stand out, as the region grew holdings by 17% and four new funds listed in China. Assets in Europe and other regions grew by 3% and 9% respectively.

Liquidity and positioning suggest increased strategic investment

Gold’s 3.6% September pullback was likely tactical in nature. Gold rallied sharply (22%) between April and July, reaching an all-time high in early August. When prices move this quickly there is often a subsequent pause or pullback in the price related to profit-taking or positioning. The recent commitment of traders (COT) report for gold COMEX futures of 759 t (US$46 billion) confirms reduced net long positioning. While still above the 2020 average of US$189 billion, net long positioning has fallen nearly 40% since the February 2020 all-time highs of 1209 t (US$63 billion). Volumes also fell from US$228 billion in August 2020 to US$199 billion in September 2020. Notably, global gold ETF volumes fell to US$3.2 billion from US$5.2 billion the previous month. Despite the weaker prices, positioning and volumes, investment demand via gold ETFs increased, suggesting continued long-term strategic positioning.

The higher inflation allowance policy is gaining momentum in multiple regions

In September, the World Gold Council noted that the US Federal Reserve would no longer pre-emptively increase rates to cool higher inflation, implying that rates could remain near zero for many years, and that this monetary policy philosophy could trickle into other regions, assuring negative global real rates for the foreseeable future. This appears to have been corroborated following the European Central Bank’s (ECB) announcement that it may consider allowing inflation to run higher for longer than usual. Subsequently, the improved opportunity cost of gold has helped investment demand so far in 2020, outweighing decreasing demand in the jewellery and central banks’ spaces.

4Q20 could be volatile

There are numerous catalysts for market volatility in 4Q20:

• US: market analysts believe there is a good chance the US Presidential election will be contested and unresolved for some time after election day. Moreover, contentious dynamics around the stimulus bill and the Supreme Court Justice nomination are already whipsawing markets.
• Europe: a no-deal Brexit scenario is possible and could disrupt trade in the region.
• Global: COVID-19 cases are on the rise as we move into the fall, with President Trump the most recent infected world leader.

On a positive note, economic indicators are improving in China, and during the holiday season there could be an uptick in consumer gold purchases as China single-handedly accounts for over 20% of annual gold demand. Additionally, India (the world’s second largest gold-consuming nation) has seen healthy monsoon rainfall for a second straight year—something that has not happened since the 1950s. This could soften the negative impact of COVID-19 in rural areas which have historically generated around 60% of Indian jewellery demand. Finally, the potential for a COVID-19 vaccine emerging during the quarter has gained momentum.

Regional flows

• North American funds had inflows of 34.6 t (US$2.2 billionn, 1.8% AUM).
• Holdings in European funds increased by 26 t (US$1.9 billion, 2%).
• Funds listed in Asia saw holdings rise by 6.8 t (US$432 million, 5.9%).
• Other regions had inflows of 0.6 t (US$23 million, 0.6%).

Individual flows

• In North America, SPDR® Gold Shares led global inflows, adding 17.4 t (US$1.1 billion, 1.4%), followed by iShares Gold Trust, which added 12.8 t (US$810 million, 2.5%); the low-cost space was fronted by SPDR Gold MiniShares growing by 2.8 t (US$169 million, 4.8%) with minimal to no flows in the other low-cost funds like Aberdeen Physical Swiss Gold Shares and Graniteshares Gold Trust.
• In Europe, iShares Physical Gold added 15.7 t (US$984 million, 6.6%), followed by Invesco Physical Gold ETC, which added 12.3 t (US$768 million, 5.6%). WisdomTree Physical Gold led global outflows with -5.6 t (US$342 million, -3.8%) followed by Xtrackers Physical Gold ETC with -2.1 t (US$127 million, -8.4%).
• Two new funds were listed in China (BOC Shanghai China Gold ETF and CCB Principal Shanghai Gold ETF), collectively adding over 1 t to the Asian region; Bosera’s listed fund led the region’s inflows with 2 t (US$127 million, 11.9%).

Long-term trends

• Gold ETFs have added more than 1000 t for the first time ever, surpassing the 2009 record of 646 t.
• North American funds have added 649 t through the first three quarters.
• Collective gold ETF AUM have grown 67% year to date through September 2020.
• Holdings in both tonnage and value terms continue to reach new highs North American funds represent two-thirds of global net inflows on the year.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/special-reports/13102020/gold-etfs-surpass-1000-t-of-new-demand-in-2020/