As stocks gyrate, investors scoop up tonnes and tonnes of gold

According to Mining News Pro - Holdings in gold-backed exchange-traded funds surged by 55 tons in the previous three days, or 1.8 million ounces, accounting for almost a third of year-to-date inflows, according to a preliminary tally by Bloomberg. As a haven asset, demand for gold tends to move in the opposite direction from stock markets. Yet this week’s ETF buying continued Tuesday even as equities bounced following Monday’s rout.

“Gold continues to provide a safety net as financial markets tumble,” Stephen Innes, chief Asia market strategist at AxiCorp Ltd., said in a note. “It just feels flat-out comfortable owning gold in this environment.”

Spot gold rose on Wednesday as U.S. stocks fell and the dollar weakened, after the U.S. administration failed to offer details on a stimulus package to combat the economic impact of the coronavirus crisis.

An emergency interest rate cut by the Bank of England also added support to bullion, while Italy plans to spend 25 billion euros ($28.3 billion) on measures to help combat the economic effects of the outbreak.

Meanwhile, Spain will offer credit lines and delayed tax timetables mainly for small- and medium-sized firms. European leaders who joined a two-and-a-half hour call Tuesday stopped short of declaring a coordinated fiscal stimulus program.

“Given the uncertain nature concerning the severity of the coronavirus, low global interest rates, central banks expected to provide even more liquidity and a high level of negative yielding debt globally, there is plenty of price support for precious metals,” Rob Haworth, senior investment strategist at U.S. Bank Wealth Management in Seattle, said in an emailed note.

Gold holdings in ETFs rose 170.5 tons this year through Tuesday, the latest data show. Buying is being stoked by recession fears because of the coronavirus outbreak and a growing wave of crisis monetary easing.

Spot gold was up 0.7% at $1,661.66 an ounce at 9:34 a.m. in New York. Platinum advanced a second day, while silver and palladium declined.

Investors’ focus now turns to the European Central Bank and its policy meeting Thursday, with President Christine Lagarde warning of an economic shock unless leaders act urgently. The Federal Reserve meets next week and is also seen paring rates, further aiding gold’s appeal.

Still, gold may face more headwinds on its way up, given that the metal’s price volatility and average trading ranges remain elevated, said Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank A/S.

“In order to revisit and potentially break above $1,700, we probably need to see a Europe-style escalation of the virus threat to the U.S.,” Hansen said.