Gold-backed ETF in a growing spree!
Global gold-backed ETFs grew 3% in 2018 Holdings in global gold-backed ETFs and similar products rose by 69 tonnes (t) to 2,440t in 2018, equivalent to US$3.4bn of inflows. Global gold-backed ETFs grew 3% in 2018, driven by strong growth in European funds and increased global inflows during December.** This is the first time since 2012 that the value of total gold-backed ETF holdings has finished the year above US$100bn. 2018 Regional flows shows, holdings in European funds rose by 96.8t (US$4.5bn, 10%) while North American funds saw outflows of 13.4t (US$667mn, 1.3% AUM). Funds listed in Asia lost total assets of 4.7t and had outflows of US$69mn** and other regions lost 9.7t (US$393mn, 29%). At Individual flows front Xtrackers Physical Gold in Germany led global inflows, adding 46t (US$1.9bn) and growing 295% on the year and iShares Gold Trust led North American inflows with 36.7t (US$1.6bn, 16%). SPDR Gold Shares led global outflows, losing 49.8t (US$1.8bn, 5%),