Physically backed gold ETFs attracted $38 billion in inflows during the first half of 2025—the biggest semi-annual increase since early 2020, according to the World Gold Council. The surge was driven by investor demand for safe-haven assets amid renewed geopolitical and economic uncertainty linked to Trump’s tariff-driven trade war.
ETF holdings rose by 397.1 metric tons, bringing total global holdings to 3,615.9 tons by the end of June—the highest since August 2022, though still below the October 2020 record of 3,915 tons. U.S.-listed ETFs led the gains, adding 206.8 tons, while Asia-listed funds saw record buying, contributing 28% of net global inflows despite accounting for just 9% of global AUM.
This marks a strong rebound after modest inflows in 2024 and three prior years of outflows tied to higher interest rates. Spot gold is up 26% year-to-date, hitting a record high of $3,500/oz in April.
Posting this ICYMI, it was a talking point during US time.
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The World Gold Council (WGC) is the market development organisation for the gold industry. Established in 1987 and headquartered in London, it is funded by many of the world’s leading gold mining companies. The WGC works to stimulate demand for gold, improve market access, and support industry innovation. It plays a key role in shaping global perceptions of gold, not just as a precious metal but also as a financial asset. The Council publishes authoritative data, such as gold supply and demand trends, investment flows (including ETF activity), and central bank purchases, making it a widely cited source for analysts, investors, and policymakers.
That’s the straight explanation …. here’s the good one …. 😉
At its core, the World Gold Council is essentially a well-funded industry lobby group, working on behalf of major gold miners. While it presents itself as a neutral source of market intelligence, its primary mission is to promote gold demand across investment, jewellery, technology, and central bank sectors. It pushes narratives that support gold’s relevance as a strategic asset, and its reports often serve to reinforce bullish sentiment—especially during times of economic or geopolitical stress. So, while its data is widely used and generally respected, it’s always good to remember the WGC has skin in the game.
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