Why The World’s Central Banks Hold Gold – In Their Own Words
The comments above & below is an edited and abridged synopsis of an article by Ronan Manly
Nineteen central banks from Germany to South Africa were asked: “In the context that central banks hold gold as a reserve asset on their balance sheets, can you clarify the main reasons why [you] continue to hold gold as a reserve asset?”
The answers are varied, but with consistent themes. Many respondents cited gold’s usefulness in a crisis: gold can be activated in an emergency; gold is an emergency reserve in a crisis; gold is a contingency against unforeseen events; gold is a form of insurance; or, as the Bank of England said, gold is ‘a war chest’ and the ‘ultimate asset to hold in an emergency.’ Nearly all central banks referred to gold as a safe-haven asset.
Many central banks mentioned gold’s high liquidity, and some referred to the ability to use their gold to raise liquidity in a foreign currency, even for foreign-exchange intervention. Gold’s role as an inflation hedge was cited in a number of answers.
Many of the banks also said that because of its unique attributes, gold does not have any counterparty risk or credit risk, and because it is not issued by governments, it has no default risk.
The return-generating potential of gold via lending was also cited. This highlights the secrecy surrounding all data relating to the gold lending market, which is based in London, Berne and Paris.
Many of the respondents also highlighted gold’s portfolio diversification benefits. Because its price is not affected by economic events in the same way as the prices of financial securities, the gold price is not highly correlated with the prices of other assets. Gold therefore brings stability to a reserve asset portfolio.
With such widespread support among the world’s central banks for holding physical gold as a safe haven, as an inflation hedge, and as a form of investment diversification, their enthusiasm for gold in 2018 looks as strong as it has ever been in any decade of the modern era.
Hello how are you. I am asking only one same question but no one replies me. I asked World Gold Council, Kitco News, many more. I want ask one question to you. i really Love to buy Gold bars & jewelry but like richest mans Warren Buffet & Bill Gates says Gold is worthless & just a shiny metal for ornaments. Second many many Central Banks are buying Gold. Sir any one of Richest person or family who trust on Gold or buy Gold? Or what is reality of Gold in Economics. I am so confused.