|By TAP Staff| Total gold demand in Q3 2015 stood at 1,121 tonnes , an increase of 8% compared to the same period last year, according to the World Gold Council’s Gold Demand Trends report.
Q3 2015 consisted of two distinct halves. In the first part, a number of factors, including ETF outflows, contributed to a price dip which buoyed consumer demand around the world. A shift in tactical investor positions in the latter part of the quarter led to modest ETF inflows in August and September, which helped to push prices back up.
Global investment demand saw a significant increase this quarter, up 27% to 230t. Bar and coin purchases were up by a third on Q3 2014 with Western markets in particular showing a surge. In the US, bar and coin demand reached its highest total in five years, up 207% to 33t.
Europe also saw strong levels of demand in the investment sector as ongoing concerns surrounding the Greek debt crisis and c uncertainty in Eastern Europe, the result of a number of factors including continuing tensions between Russia and Ukraine and saw demand climb by 35% to 61t. In China, investment demand grew by 70% to 52t, as demand was initially stimulated by the gold price weakness in July, which was further fuelled by the mid-August foreign exchange reform. In India, the investment sector saw its first increase since Q3 2014, up 6% year-on-year to 57t.
Overall jewellery demand for Q3 2015 was 632t compared to 594t in Q3 2014, up 6% year-on-year. Consumers in India, China, the US and the Middle East took advantage of lower prices in July and August. This was particularly evident in India, partly as festival purchases were brought forward, resulting in a 15% increase in jewellery demand to 211t over the period.
Central banks remained a significant source of demand, and were net buyers for the 19th consecutive quarter. Purchases by official sector institutions reached 175t, a level almost matching the record highs in Q3 2014, as the net widened to include new reports from countries such as China and the UAE.
Total supply was marginally higher year-on-year up 1% at 1,100t. Mine production contracted slightly and recycling declined further in Q3, but this was more than offset by fresh producer hedging. The long term indication is that supply will remain constrained as the mining industry continues to proactively manage costs and optimise its operational performance.
Alistair Hewitt, Head of Market Intelligence at the World Gold Council, said: “China and India remain the dominant figures in the global gold market, accounting for close to 45% of total demand. But what was particularly noticeable this quarter is that the consumer response to the price dip was a truly global occurrence. There were significant gains in bar and coin demand in China and across Europe, but it was in the US where we saw the most dramatic growth, with US Mint Eagle sales reaching their highest level since Q2 2010. Global jewellery demand also picked up, in what is traditionally a quiet time of the year for jewellery demand.
Separately, purchases by the central banks almost equalled the Q3 2014 record as gold’s diversification benefits continue to be recognised. The increased transparency that comes from the publication of China’s reserve data is a welcome addition to the market – although Russia still remains the most significant buyer. These factors combined, illustrate the diversity of gold demand and the broad range of factors that underpin it.”
Gold demand and supply statistics for Q3 2015
- Overall demand increased by 8% year-on-year to 1,121t.
- Total consumer demand – made up of jewellery demand and coin and bar 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, up 207% to 33t from 11t on the same period last year, with support from China, up 70% to 52t and Europe up 35% to 61t.
- 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.
- 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 Q2 2014. Recycling levels were down 6% year-on-year to 252t compared to 268t in Q3 last year.
