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Informist, Thursday, Mar. 5, 2026

 

NEW DELHI – Investors allocated a net $5.3 billion into global gold exchange-traded funds in February amid high geopolitical risks and shifting macro conditions, the World Gold Council said in a report. February was the ninth consecutive month of inflows, with North American investors remaining the top contributors. 

 

The total assets under management in global gold ETFs rose to a record $701 billion, while holdings increased to an all-time high of 4,171 tonnes. Gold investments continued to rise amid the recent rally in gold prices, following the pull-back in late January and easing early February. 

 

"North America once again led global demand; Asia extended its steady run of inflows, and Europe stood out as the only region to record net outflows following heavy early-month redemptions tied to the late January precious metals selloff," the council said. 

 

North American funds posted inflows for the ninth month in February with $4.7 billion, and the council called the sustained run "notable". "...There have only been two other periods in which the region recorded at least nine straight months of inflows – during the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) and the COVID-19 pandemic," it said. 

 

Europe was the only region to post outflows in February at $1.8 billion, as the precious metal sell-off in late January spilled into early February. Although flows turned positive in subsequent weeks, the early-month liquidation remained too large to offset, the council said. 

 

Asian funds attracted $2.3 billion in February, the sixth consecutive month of inflows. Japan led the inflows in the region amid political uncertainties, escalating tensions with China, a weak yen, and gold's strong performance. Meanwhile, China saw mild inflows, partially due to fewer trading days amid the Chinese New Year holiday. 

 

India recorded a healthy inflow of $565 million, which was a moderation from the last two-month average of $2 billion. "Redemptions from some of the larger funds earlier in the month were likely driven by profit-taking as the gold price pulled back, but these were gradually offset as the month progressed, underscoring sustained interest in gold ETFs," the council said. 

 

Meanwhile, the daily average trading volume across all gold markets fell to $478 billion in February. Nonetheless, global gold volumes remained 32?ove the 2025 average, the council said. "The month-on-month decline largely reflected profit-taking, lighter Asian participation during the Lunar New Year holiday, and gold trading sideways after recovering most of its early-month drop," the council said.  End

 

US$1 = INR 91.60

 

Reported by Afra Abubacker

Edited by Avishek Dutta

 

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