JB Insights

WGC releases ‘India Gold Market – Reform and growth’

Published

2 years ago

December 7, 2023

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The World Gold Council (WGC) has published a new report titled ‘India Gold Market – Reform and growth’. The report explores the key factors that shape India’s gold demand and supply, as well as the challenges and opportunities for the future. The new report covers various aspects of India’s gold market, such as: The drivers of Indian gold demand, jewellery demand and trade, jewellery market structure, gold investment market and financialisation, bullion trade, gold refining and recycling, and gold mining in India.

In the report foreword, Juan Carlos Artigas, Global Head of Research, World Gold Council, said: “In 2017 we produced “India’s Gold Market – evolution and innovation’. A lot has changed since that report was published. This compendium of updated reports delves deeper into key factors that underpin India’s position as the second largest gold consumer in the world: it studies the drivers of gold demand and the perception of consumers; it examines the new investment landscape: and it considers the complex issue of gold supply.

“Few of the global events that have rocked societal and geopolitical stability could have been imagined when our 2017 report was published. That India has had to adapt is not surprising, but the rate at which change is happening in the country is, arguably, unprecedented.

“Despite – or perhaps because of – macroeconomic uncertainties, India’s population resolutely turns to gold. Weddings and festivals are key drivers of gold demand and the country is one of the world’s largest bar and coin markets. There is no doubt that gold retains prominence in the social and financial life of many Indians, both urban and rural.

“The years ahead will present challenges. But rather than thinking them onerous, we believe there is tremendous opportunity for gold. Regulation of India’s jewellery industry has already made huge strides in building consumer trusts. If new export markets can be developed, the current fragile platform – 90% of jewellery exports go to just five countries – will be diluted. More accessible banking offers a possibility to reach investors who have long understood gold’s safe-haven qualities but now find themselves negotiating a plethora of choice. And in the longer term, the Gold Monetisation Scheme, proposed legislative changes in the mining industry, and resolution of recycling traceability issues may reduce India’s reliance on imported gold.

“As we look ahead with optimism, the insights in this report will help us ensure that gold retains or even increases its relevance to India’s economy – generating further employment and continuing to play its roles as an adornment and an effective portfolio diversifier and hedge against inflation

Related Topics:2023 2024 jbinsights specialreport

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JB Insights

WGC REPORT :Portfolio resiliency-Gold’s role amid economic crosscurrents

Published

12 hours ago

October 25, 2025

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Since the publication of our Why gold in 2025? A cross-asset perspective report earlier this year, much has happened on the policy front and in the broader economy. Uncertainties and vulnerabilities remain across geopolitical, fiscal, and trade domains. Investors are particularly concerned about growth and inflation, creating a challenging situation for policymakers as the dual policy goals of the Federal Reserve are in direct conflict. With persistent fears of stagflation, gold has once again stepped into the spotlight, rising more than 50% this year.1 Importantly, the core reasons for considering alternative assets such as gold, as outlined in our May report, remain largely unchanged.

First, equities appear complacent. US equities have posted remarkable gains in recent months, reigniting concerns about valuation excess and concentration risk. Indeed, investors face a market that feels euphoric on the surface but remains fragile underneath. Should economic pressures mount , investors may increasingly seek refuge in safe-haven assets, with gold standing out as a historically resilient option, as outlined in our mid-year outlook.

Second, bond markets remain uncertain. The Fed officially resumed its easing cycle in September, cutting the federal funds rate by 25 basis points in response to a cooling labour market (Chart 1) – an action widely anticipated by markets. However, US long-term yields could face renewed upward pressure if tariffs and reshoring efforts drive domestic costs higher, complicating the Fed’s inflation target. At the same time, long-term treasuries remain exposed to concerns over the Federal Reserve’s independence and the US government’s sizeable fiscal funding needs.

Against this backdrop, gold’s appeal as a hedge against both equity and bond market instability is growing – though risks exist. As we discussed in our recent blog, gold’s rapid ascent could prompt rebalancing and profit taking. For example, from a technical standpoint, the monthly Relative Strength Index (RSI) is above 90 and gold is sitting more than 20% above its 200-day moving average. These factors could lead to short-term reversals. In addition, the sharp increase in the gold price could dampen consumer demand while global trade normalisation and a pick-up in GDP growth could revive risk appetite further.

In summary, maintaining a diversified approach and remaining vigilant to shifting market dynamics is essential. Amidst a growing investor base, secular US dollar weakness and continued geoeconomic uncertainty, gold’s enduring resilience and diversification benefits remain as relevant as ever.