Gold Demand Up 6% in Third Quarter 2011

LONDON, November 17, 2011 -

Gold demand in the third quarter of 2011 reached 1,053.9 tonnes, an increase of 6% compared to the same period last year. This equates to US$57.7bn, an all-time high in value terms.

According to the World Gold Council’s Gold Demand Trends report for Q3 2011 released today, this increase was driven by investment demand which rose by 33% year-on-year to 468.1 tonnes, generating record quarterly demand of US$25.6bn.

The report also details a number of other developments:

• Investment demand in Europe reached a record quarterly value of €4.6bn, equating to 118.1 tonnes - a year-on-year increase of 135%. The increase in overall investment demand was all the more impressive given the sharp gold price correction in September, which encouraged a wave of profit taking among bar and coin investors. Virtually all markets saw strong double-digit growth in demand for gold bars and coins.

• Chinese jewellery demand was 13% higher year-on-year at 131.0 tonnes, equivalent to RMB46.0bn. The bulk of this increase was seen in smaller cities as retail chains expanded their networks to meet increasing demand fuelled by rising income levels. China’s growing appetite for gold as a means of investment saw demand for gold bars and coins expand by 24% from year earlier levels to 60.2 tonnes.

• Jewellery demand in India was sluggish during the seasonally slow months of July and August, compounded by high inflation and greater volatility in the local gold price. Buying has since recovered slightly with the onset of the festive and wedding season. Overall, Indian jewellery demand in Q3 saw a 26% decline in tonnage, when compared to the same quarter in 2010, to 125.3 tonnes, however yearly demand to the end of September is very close to the record levels seen in 2010.

Marcus Grubb, Managing Director, Investment at the World Gold Council, commented:

“Unsurprisingly investment demand for gold was a key driver during the third quarter. Increasing levels of inflation, the US credit rating downgrade, a worsening eurozone sovereign debt crisis and the lacklustre performance of many assets drove investors to increase holdings in gold in order to protect their wealth.  Given gold’s proven risk mitigation properties, it is likely that investors will continue to seek protection from economic uncertainty, which shows no signs of abating.

“The long-term fundamentals for gold remain strong with a diverse and growing demand base coupled with constrained supply-side activity.”

Gold Demand Statistics for Q3 2011:

• Global gold demand in the third quarter of 2011 increased 6% year-on-year to reach 1,053.9 tonnes, up from 991.1 tonnes in the third quarter of 2010. Gold demand in value terms was worth a record US$57.7bn up from the previous high of US$45.7bn in the preceding quarter.

• The quarterly average price rose 39% from year earlier levels to US$1,702.12, while the gold price reached a new record of US$1,895.00 (London PM Fix) on 5th and 6th September.

• Global gold investment demand reached 468.1 tonnes in the third quarter of 2011, up 33% from 352.1 tonnes in the corresponding quarter in 2010. The rise in prices led to a record US$25.6bn in value terms, almost double the US$13.9bn witnessed in Q3 2010.  

• Demand for gold bars and coins increased 29% to reach 390.5 tonnes, up from 303.0 tonnes in Q3 2010. In value terms demand for bars and coins in Q3 2011 equated to US$21.4bn compared to US$12.0bn in Q3 2010.

• Gold ETFs and similar products witnessed inflows of 77.6 tonnes in the third quarter of 2011, which was 58% above year-earlier levels of 49.1 tonnes.

• Global demand for gold jewellery of 465.6 tonnes in the third quarter of 2011 was 10% below year-earlier levels of 518.9 tonnes. In value terms demand reached a quarterly record of US$25.5bn, 24% higher than the third quarter of 2010, which registered US$20.5bn.

• In spite of challenging market conditions, gold demand from the global technology sector showed significant resilience and was flat year-on-year at 120.2 tonnes. In value terms demand from the electronics sector was equivalent to a record US$4.8bn.

• Central bank net purchases amounted to 148.4 tonnes, as they continued to increase their allocation to gold as a percentage of total reserves.

• Gold supply was 1,034.4 tonnes in the third quarter of 2011, 2% higher than year-earlier levels of 1,013.0 tonnes. Mine production increased by 5% to 746.2 tonnes from 710.9 tonnes during the third quarter of 2010.

• Despite record prices being reached during the quarter, recycling activity was relatively modest. Third quarter 2011 gold recycling accounted for 426.5 tonnes of supply, up 13% year-on-year from 379.1 tonnes.

A copy of the Q3 2011 Gold Demand Trends report, which includes comprehensive data, can be viewed at: www.gold.org/media/.

Note to editors:

About the World Gold Council

The World Gold Council is the market development organisation for the gold industry. Working within the investment, jewellery and technology sectors, as well as engaging in government affairs, our purpose is to provide industry leadership, whilst stimulating and sustaining demand for gold.

We develop gold-backed solutions, services and markets, based on true market insight. As a result, we create structural shifts in demand for gold across key market sectors.

We provide insights into the international gold markets, helping people to better understand the wealth preservation qualities of gold and its role in meeting the social and environmental needs of society.

Based in the UK, with operations in India, the Far East, Europe and the US, the World Gold Council is an association whose members include the world’s leading and most forward thinking gold mining companies. For further information visit www.gold.org.

For further information please contact: Stephanie Mackrell, World Gold Council, T +44 20 7826 4763, E Stephanie.mackrell at gold.org ; Quintin Keanie, Capital MSL, T +44-20-7255-5154, E Quintin.keanie at capitalmsl.com