Strong inflows into Chinese Gold ETFs in April – Commerzbank

The World Gold Council reported Gold ETF data for April last week, Commerzbank's commodity analyst Carsten Fritsch notes.

The level of Gold ETF holdings in China is still low

"According to the data, there were net inflows of 115 tons last month. This was the fifth consecutive monthly increase in Gold ETF holdings and also the strongest in more than three years. The composition of the inflows was also remarkable. This is because the majority occurred in Asia, particularly in China. Chinese Gold ETFs recorded net inflows of almost 65 tons."

"The inflows in April were thus stronger than in the entire first quarter and in 2024 as a whole. The WGC attributes this to the rise in local Gold prices, the trade conflict and lower bond yields. The fact that investors in China are investing in Gold ETFs is new. For a long time, they favoured Gold in the form of bars and coins."

"If this change in behaviour continues, significant ETF purchases could be expected in the coming months and years. After all, the level of Gold ETF holdings in China is still comparatively low at 203 tons. By way of comparison, Gold ETF holdings in the US amount to more than 1,750 tons and those in Europe to a good 1,340 tons."