Gold mid-year outlook 2018

In our outlook for second half of 2018, we have identified three key macro trends that will influence gold’s behaviour:

• positive but uneven global economic growth
• trade wars and their impact on currency
• rising inflation and an inverted yield curve.

Combined with attractive entry levels, we believe that these trends will increase gold’s relevance for investors in the months ahead.

A rocky start for the year

The first half of 2018 proved quite eventful for financial markets. Stocks experienced a few pullbacks during the first quarter as geopolitical tensions rose but have been generally trading upward since the start of Q2. This was especially true in the US and Asia, where tech stocks captured most of the growth. So far, investors seemed to have shrugged off the escalating trade war rhetoric between the US and many of its trading partners or, at least, discounting the effect it may have on long-term economic growth.

Gold has thus far moved in the opposite way. Its price rose by more than 4% in the first few months of the year, only to finish June down by the same amount. This downward trend has continued in July as gold dropped almost an additional percentage point. But while gold’s volatility spiked in February and April, it has been moving in a relatively low range since. Gold’s performance has been driven by a combination of factors. Three stand out:

• A strengthening US dollar 
• Higher investor threshold for headline risk
• Soft physical gold demand in Q1 2018.

At the same time, gold’s price momentum and investor positioning in derivatives markets has accelerated its descent. We believe, however, that there may be reasons to be more optimistic on the second half.

Gold outlook focus: drivers of the gold price

Broadly speaking, drivers of the gold price can be grouped into four categories:

Wealth and economic expansion: periods of growth are very supportive of jewellery, technology, and long-term savings.

Market risk and uncertainty: market downturns often boost investment demand for gold as a safe haven. 

Opportunity cost: the price of competing assets such as bonds (through interest rates), currencies and other assets influence investor attitudes towards gold.

Momentum and positioning: capital flows and price trends can ignite or dampen gold’s performance.

(www.worldgoldcouncil.com)