Investor Resources
Demand for Gold Rising in China
- November 20, 2009
You can add gold demand to the list of items being supported by China. China was the sole market to see positive growth in consumer demand for gold, rising 12 percent from a year ago the World Gold Council reports.
Total gold demand in China reached 120 tonnes, nearly double the amount from just four years ago.
Overall, gold demand was off 34 percent from 2008 but that is largely the result of exceptionally high demand increases during the darkest time of the financial crisis. On a year-to-date basis, gold demand is only down 6.3 percent.
China’s improving economy has made consumers less price sensitive than those in India and the Middle East who have not fully adjusted to gold prices at current levels.
Jewelry demand in India fell 42 percent on a year-over-year basis but Indians haven’t abandoned their strong cultural connection to gold. Exchange activity among consumers—where old pieces are swapped for new ones—has spiked.
The WGC says this “suggests a strong desire by consumers to remain attractive in the [gold] market.”
BMO doesn’t believe that the downtick in demand is a symptom of a long-term trend. In a research note, they write that “the combination of a strengthening economy, modest supply growth, central-bank buying and concerns surrounding the U.S. dollar and inflation should continue to support gold demand and prices into 2010.”
All opinions expressed and data provided are subject to change without notice. Some of these opinions may not be appropriate to every investor. #09-819
Net Asset Value
as of 09/02/2010
- Global Resources Fund
PSPFX $8.72 +0.08 - Gold and Precious Metals Fund
USERX $17.25 +0.18 - World Precious Minerals Fund
UNWPX $19.21 +0.13 - China Region Fund
USCOX $8.50 No Change - Eastern European Fund
EUROX $9.05 +0.03 - Global Emerging Markets Fund
GEMFX $8.15 +0.01 - Global MegaTrends Fund
MEGAX $7.67 +0.03 - All American Equity Fund
GBTFX $19.86 +0.15 - Holmes Growth Fund
ACBGX $15.79 +0.19 - Tax Free Fund
USUTX $12.61 No Change - Near-Term Tax Free Fund
NEARX $2.27 No Change - U.S. Government Securities Savings Fund
UGSXX $1.00 No Change - U.S. Treasury Securities Cash Fund
USTXX $1.00 No Change


You can add gold demand to the list of items being supported by China. China was the sole market to see positive growth in consumer demand for gold, rising 12 percent from a year ago the World Gold Council reports.