The move away from the Federal Reserve Note as the global reserve currency of choice has continued in recent years, with fresh developments increasing the greenback’s stiff competition.
This has led to massive central bank buying of gold, and that trend appears set to continue in 2021. According to a recent report from the World Gold Council, 21% of global central banks plan to purchase gold this year.
Why Do Central Banks Keep Buying?
There are a variety of reasons for central banks to buy and hold gold.
The yellow metal’s reputation as a portfolio diversifier and its role as a safe-haven asset are well known and discussed.
But gold’s ability to improve risk-adjusted returns while also serving as an important form of collateral are less talked about topics that may be just as important.
The World Gold Council’s survey also indicated that no central bank has plans to sell its gold reserves this year, having fallen from a 4% reading last year.
“This year’s survey continues to highlight significant interest in gold amongst central banks, with the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic underscoring the importance of maintaining liquid, uncorrelated assets in a reserve portfolio.
“Inflation has also resurfaced as an investment consideration and may inform central bank asset allocation in the coming years. We believe that central banks will continue to be net buyers of gold, albeit at somewhat lower volumes than those of the previous decade.”
Gold’s strong performance during the Covid-19 epidemic is likely to become the top reason for central bank buying this year.
Here are key reasons why global monetary planners are accumulating gold:
- Gold is a great diversifier. It is uncorrelated to stocks or bonds and can add much needed portfolio diversification to a portfolio while also providing credibility.
- Gold is reliable and trusted. Gold has been a reliable store of wealth and protector of value for centuries – and that reputation is unlikely to change anytime soon. Adding gold can lend credibility to a central bank and its currency.
- Gold is an inflation fighter. With inflation now clearly on the rise, it is more important than ever to own assets that may outperform as prices rise. With the Federal Reserve and other global central banks holding rates at or near zero while printing money each month, the need for an inflationary hedge has never been more pressing.
- Gold has zero counterparty risk. The gold market is global, and the metal carries zero counterparty risk. It cannot go bankrupt, default, or otherwise screw its owners. Gold is recognized and valued all over the globe and is always accepted as payment.
- Gold can be used for interventions. Gold is the ultimate currency, and having a gold holding as part of central bank reserves provides central planners a powerful tool to intervene in the markets for whatever purposes.
The key takeaway: If gold is being accumulated by the largest, most powerful financial institutions on Earth, shouldn’t you do so also?
Stefan Gleason is President of Money Metals Exchange, the company recently named "Best Overall Online Precious Metals Dealer" by Investopedia. A graduate of the University of Florida, Gleason is a seasoned business leader, investor, political strategist, and grassroots activist. Gleason has frequently appeared on national television networks such as CNN, FoxNews, and CNBC and in hundreds of publications such as the Wall Street Journal, TheStreet, and Seeking Alpha.
