Demand For Gold Investment Jumped by Almost 100% Year-on-year
Unlike stock, banknotes, or other assets, gold has managed to maintain its value through the years, preserving the investors’ wealth, especially in times of turmoil in the financial markets. Although many investors value the precious metal as an important portfolio asset, the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic led to a surge in global demand for investment gold.
According to data presented by Aksje Bloggen, the global demand for investment gold reached 582.9 metric tons in the second quarter of 2020, an almost 100% jump year-on-year.
Record Levels of Gold Investments in 2020
In 2016, the global gold demand amounted to 4,309 metric tons, revealed Statista and the World Gold Council data. By the end of 2019, this figure rose to 4,356 metric tons, and investment gold accounted for 30% of that amount. Worldwide gold jewelry demand volumes reached 2,118 metric tons last year. Central banks and technology followed with 648 and 326 metric tons, respectively.
However, statistics indicate the global demand for investment gold continued rising amid the COVID-19 outbreak, while the demand for gold used for technology and jewelry purposes dropped significantly.
In the second quarter of 2020, the global gold jewelry demand amounted to 251.5 metric tons, a 52% plunge year-on-year. Demands for gold used in technology dropped by 17% to 66.6 metric tons in the second quarter of the year. Central banks and other institutions bought 114.7 metric tons of gold in the second quarter of 2020, a 50% plunge year-on-year.
Statistics indicate the global demand for gold for investment purposes hit a record-breaking 1,152 metric tons in the first half of 2020, the highest figure so far.
The Price of Gold Jumped 25% in 2020
The average gold value tends to increase during a recession, making it an attractive investment in uncertain times. In January 2018, a troy ounce of gold cost $1,331.30, revealed the Statista and World Gold Council data. After a slight drop during the third and fourth quarter of that year, it stood at $1,320.07 in February 2019. By the end of the last year, the price of gold rose to $1,479.13.
The gold price continued rising amid the coronavirus outbreak reaching $1,732.22 in June, a 17% increase in six months. Statistics indicate the price of gold stood at $1,964.30 at the end of the last week, a 25% jump since January.
