Gold Bullion Demand Surges 27% In Q3 - New Chinese “Buying Spree”

Gold Bullion Demand Surges 27% In Q3 - New Chinese “Buying Spree” [18]

Gold Demand Trends Q3 2015 was released by the World Gold Council today. The quarterly publication is the leading industry resource for data and opinion on global gold demand and examines demand trends by sector as well as geography.

The key findings from the report are as follows:

- Overall demand increased by 8% year-on-year to 1,121t as selling of futures contracts and ETFs contributed to a price dip, 6% in July, which buoyed gold demand around the world.

- Total consumer demand – made up of jewellery demand – totalled 928t, up 14%.

- Global investment demand saw a significant rise of 27% to 230t, up from 181t in Q3 2014.

This was led by the US which saw a surge in bar and coin demand - it tripled and was up 207% to 33t from 11t on the same period last year, with massive demand from China, up 70% to 52t and Europe up 35% to 61t.

China's sharp devaluation of the yuan this summer sparked another gold bar and coin "buying spree" in China according to the World Gold Council, as canny store of wealth buyers sought to shelter themselves from further market volatility and sharp falls in stock markets.

Much of this European demand came from Germany and Austria where demand remains very high due to heightened German concerns about the euro, the European and global economy.

- Global jewellery demand for Q3 2015 was up 6% year-on-year to 632t compared to 594t in Q3 2014. In India, demand was up 15% to 211t and China was up 4% to 188t. The US and the Middle East also saw gains, up 2% to 26t and 8% to 56t respectively.

- Central bank demand reached 175t, the 19th consecutive quarter of net purchases. Russia continued to "lead the pack" in terms of central bank purchases.

- Demand in the technology sector declined 4% to 84t as the sector continued to endure pressure, with the industry choosing to shift towards alternative, cheaper materials in technological applications.

- Total supply was 1,100t in Q3, up 1% year-on-year. Total mine supply (mine production + net producer hedging) remained relatively flat up 3% year-on-year to 848t compared to 814t in the same period last year. Year-on-year quarterly mine production shrank by 1% to 828t in Q3 2015 against 836t in Q3 2014. Recycling levels were down 6% year-on-year to 252t compared to 268t in Q3 last year.

The report can be accessed here Gold Demand Trends Q3 2015 [19]

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DAILY PRICES

Today’s Gold Prices: USD 1087.60, EUR 1014.03 and GBP 716.21 per ounce.
Yesterday’s Gold Prices: USD 1088.60, EUR 1013.17 and GBP 718.36 per ounce.
(LBMA AM)

COMEX Gold in USD - 1 Year

Gold closed down $2.70 yesterday to finish the day at $1088.70. Silver closed at $14.42, down $0.14. Platinum lost $12 to $898.

Gold prices have slid in 10 of the last 10 COMEX trading sessions (see chart below) falling back to their lowest since early August - half decade lows in dollar terms. Gold looks very oversold on a few measures and is due a bounce.

The upside potential for gold and silver far outweighs the downside risk, in time. On a 5 to 10 year time horizon, the outlook for both precious metals is very positive.