China has been on a gold-buying binge, and has now increased its gold reserves for seven months straight. Sybilla Gross reports for Bloomberg:
China increased its gold reserves for a seventh straight month, signaling ongoing strong demand for the precious metal from the world’s central banks.
China raised its gold holdings by about 16 tons in May, according to data from the People’s Bank of China on Wednesday. Total stockpiles now sit at about 2,092 tons, after adding a total of 144 tons from November through last month.
Central banks bought a record volume of gold last year as nations stockpiled the precious metal amid rising geopolitical uncertainty and stubborn global inflation. While buying fell steeply in the first quarter of this year, according to the World Gold Council, gold-watchers expect purchases to remain robust.
About a quarter of central banks intend to increase their holdings over the next 12 months amid increasing pessimism toward the future role of the US dollar, according to a survey published by the council in May.
The London Bullion Market Association sees strong demand from central banks continuing into this year, Chief Executive Officer Ruth Crowell said in an interview with Bloomberg TV earlier this week.
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