Global uncertainty and economic concerns are driving a surge in demand for gold across Asia. This is according to industry leaders attending the annual Asia Pacific Precious Metals Conference. One prevailing theme at the event was high political risk, with over 40 countries facing elections this year. Gold (CM:XAUUSD) has long been considered a trusted safe haven, and seems to shine more brightly amid global uncertainty,
Asian Appetite for Gold Remains Strong
After record-breaking gold prices, the strong appetite remains, and Asian retail investors exhibit unrelenting enthusiasm. This persistent demand has helped drive a price increase of 16% since mid-February, pushing prices above $2,310 per ounce.
Analysts attribute this interest to inflating prices and underlying factors, such as uncertainty and risk. Rhona O’Connell, head of market analysis at StoneX Financial (NASDAQ: SNEX), highlights this shift by stating that “uncertainty and the concept of risk” are the primary reasons behind the price surge, in addition to renewed investors’ interest.
Elections Add Fuel to Gold’s Appeal
With a significant number of elections on the horizon, political risk was a major theme at the conference. The anxiety of uncertainty, coupled with concerns about the weakening state of major economies, particularly China, is fueling demand for gold. Even with gold prices rising, it is viewed as better than the alternatives, so its appeal against potential economic turmoil remains.
Chinese Demand
China remains the dominant force in Asian gold consumption, rivaling established financial hubs like London and New York for price influence. China’s long history of gold as a store of value, combined with its position as the world’s top consumer and producer, is further amplified by recent trouble in its property and stock markets.
“The Chinese market is probably the biggest driving force in price discovery right now,” says Ruth Crowell, CEO of the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA). She emphasizes that the growth in Asian gold demand is expected to continue, evidenced by the LBMA’s expanding presence in the region.
Unrelenting Demand Across Asia
While demand slightly decreased in India between March and April, it has since regained momentum. According to the World Gold Council, jewelers are reporting increased sales during the festival season compared to the previous year.
Smaller markets like Vietnam are also experiencing strong demand, with a projected growth of 10% year-on-year in consumption for the first half of 2024. Japan also sees continued buying activity at historically high levels, despite a weakening yen that makes gold more expensive
“We are seeing selling of course, but more buying, at that historical high level,” says Bruce Ikemizu, chief director of the Japanese Bullion Market Association. He emphasizes the unprecedented nature of this sustained buying at peak prices.
Reduced scrap metal supply in the region further strengthens the case for robust demand. Nikos Kavalis, managing director of Metals Focus Ltd., views this as a clear indication that consumers are holding onto their gold, unwilling to part with it in this uncertain environment.
Investor Takeaway
While the near-term outlook for gold appears bullish, analysts caution against excessive optimism. The geopolitical landscape could stabilize once the concentrated election cycle has played out this year. Although there is always the potential for newly elected governments to raise concerns, this could continue to support gold prices.
Overall, the current market conditions in Asia paint a clear picture: Gold shines brightly as a safe-haven investment. The need for security is driven by anxieties surrounding a volatile and uncertain global economic and political climate.
