Chennai: Almost three-fourths of Indian investors trust gold more than currencies, a little higher than the global average. A vast majority are considering investing in gold in the next 12 months, finds a WGC survey.
WGC’s survey done in major gold markets like India, China, US, Russia, Germany and Canada, found that 61 per cent of the retail investors trust gold more than currencies. In India, 75 per cent of them trust in gold. This is highest among all the major gold-consuming markets.
They find that gold is a good safeguard against inflation and currency fluctuation, it will never lose its value over the long term and owning gold makes them feel secure for the long term. They consider gold just like any other commodity such as oil or steel.
The trust is equally strong across different age groups from 18-year-old to 65-year-old. “People often ask whether the younger generations feel the same way about gold. Our data suggests that, for retail investment, they mostly do,’ said the report.
Among the Indian respondents, 67 per cent are considering to invest in gold and have invested in gold, 29 per cent are considering investing in gold but have not invested in the past. Only 4 per cent are not considering investing in gold.
Among those who bought gold, 44 per cent purchased it to manage risk – either to diversify their risk or move from high to low risk investments, 31 per cent either on the recommendation of a financial advisor or a friend and 29 per cent bought it because the price was low or on an upward trend. Further, 64 per cent of people who have invested in gold in the past - be that jewellery, bars and coins or ETFs - would definitely buy again in the future.
The study also finds that people’s demand for gold increases with their income. This is true of retail investors and fashion and lifestyle consumers across all markets. In India, 43 per cent of people with low income have bought gold in last 12 months, 39 per cent in medium income group and 59 per cent in high income group. Globally, 26 per cent of low and middle income group people and 43 per cent of high income group have bought gold. In China, there is a clear rise in consumption with income increase. In the low income group, 40 per cent people bought gold, 60 per cent in the middle income and 78 per cent in high income.
