Etikett: U.S. Dollar

Weaker U.S. Dollar, Investment Demand Sustains Gold’s Momentum in April

Weaker US Dollar, Investment Demand Sustains Gold’s Momentum in April VanEckWeaker US Dollar, Investment Demand Sustains Gold’s Momentum in April

Weaker US Dollar, Investment Demand Sustains Gold’s Momentum in April by Joe Foster, Gold Strategist

Gold’s positive momentum continued in April. Bullion traded as high as $1,289.60 per ounce on April 18, driven primarily by weaker than expected U.S. economic data. Most notably, figures released in the jobs report were below expectations and additionally, U.S. factory output surprised on the downside. Gold also gained support from comments by President Trump during an interview on April 12, in which he stated that the U.S. dollar was getting too strong and that he would prefer that the Federal Reserve keep interest rates low. The U.S. dollar (DXY Index 1) weakened 1.30% during the month. By April 18, markets were not pricing in another Fed rate hike in June, with the implied probability at only 43.7%. However, markets perceived the outcome of the first round of the French presidential elections positively, fueling risk-on sentiment, and pushing down the price of gold in the last week of April. As of May 1, markets were attaching approximately a 70% probability to a June Fed rate hike and a 72% probability to a July hike. Gold ended April at $1,264 per ounce, up $18.94 per ounce or 1.52%.

Demand for gold bullion backed exchange traded products (ETPs) picked up again in April with holdings up approximately 1.4% for the month and 4.6% year to date. We track flows into the gold bullion ETPs as we think investments in those products typically represent longer-term, strategic investment demand for gold and as such, provide an excellent proxy for the direction of the gold market.

Gold Stocks Display Rare Behavior Relative to Bullion

Gold stocks underperformed the metal, which is atypical for a period in which the  price of gold increased. The NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index 2 (GDMNTR) fell 1.9% and the MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index 3 (MVGDXJTR) dropped 10.8% during the month.

With regards to small cap companies, we believe the underperformance of the group is related to trading activity following an index announcement on April 12, 2017 indicating an upcoming rule change for the MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index. This upcoming rule change expands the universe of companies eligible for inclusion in the Index effective June 17, 2017. It appears to us that the market’s reaction was to sell, ahead of the Index rebalance date, those companies that are expected to be reduced to make room for the new companies that will be added to the Index, resulting in significant selling pressure. We expect some volatility in the share price of the junior companies making up the Index to continue until the June Index effective date. However, we view this share price action as temporary, and expect a return to more normal trading activity, with the fundamental aspects of the stocks driving their price in the longer term.

In the case of larger market cap equities, the underperformance was driven by a 12% drop in the share price of Barrick Gold (1.9% of net assets). On April 24, Barrick reported 1Q 2017 results that missed expectations, due primarily to operational issues that the company expects to resolve shortly. However, this was received very negatively by markets, which have become accustomed to Barrick consistently meeting or exceeding expectations during the past couple of years. Although there were a few other negative surprises, overall, the seniors and mid-tier companies reported 1Q results that met or exceeded expectations.

Gold equities should outperform gold bullion during rising gold prices and underperform if gold prices fall. Although this expected relative performance may not hold during certain periods (as was the case in April), gold equities have consistently demonstrated their effectiveness as leverage plays on gold during the past several years (see the chart below).

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Gold Market in April Provides Insight for 2017 and Beyond

It’s conceivable that the gold market for the year 2017 may end up looking like it did in April; i.e., characterized by short rallies followed by pullbacks, as the market’s assessment of the health and prospects of the U.S. economy and the Fed’s rate outlook lifts or depresses the gold price. We see the gold price well supported within a range centered on the $1,250 level in 2017, as it establishes a new base that started forming in 2016. There is potentially significant risk and uncertainty that could drive the gold price higher, and it certainly seems possible that the geopolitical or financial outlook could turn negative rather quickly. Beyond 2017, adverse events, we believe, become increasingly likely as the post-crisis expansion ages and if the bull market in stocks and bonds loses steam. These are the types of “risk-off” events that we believe will likely compel investors to seek protection by investing in gold and gold equities.

Gold Stocks Typically Provide Leverage to Gold and Current Valuations Remain Attractive

Gold mining equities offer leveraged exposure to gold. The leverage comes from earnings leverage; as the gold price increases, the change in the company’s profitability significantly outpaces the change in the gold price. In addition, at higher gold prices, in-the-ground resources have a higher value, and the company’s exploration efforts, project expansions, operational improvements, and potential acquisitions also become more valuable. This explains why gold stocks trade at premium valuation multiples. Looking at historical valuation levels, as illustrated by the price-to-cash flow chart below, we see that stocks are currently trading at multiples that are below the long-term average, and well below the multiples reached during the peak of the last bull market.

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Agnico-Eagle Mines: What Makes a Premium Rated Gold Stock

We look at relative valuations among our coverage universe to identify undervalued and overvalued stocks. Stocks that trade at above average multiples may be too expensive, or they may be deserving of a higher multiple derived from their higher growth potential (as measured, for example, in free cash flow per share and not just in ounces) and lower risk profile. A look into one of our top holdings, Agnico-Eagle Mines (5.5% of net assets), is helpful in understanding what it takes to be a premium rated stock in the gold market.

Listed below are some of the primary reasons we believe the Agnico-Eagle Mines stock deserves a premium rating:

  • A track record of consistently meeting or beating expectations in recent years. Agnico’s 1Q 2017 results released at the end of April once again exceeded estimates for earnings, production, and costs. In addition, the company increased its production guidance for 2017.
  • A strong, experienced management team. Sean Boyd has been Agnico’s CEO since 1998 and has been with the company since 1985. He was one of the few CEOs to survive the sector-wide management changeover that occurred a few years ago. Many members of Agnico’s management team have been with the company for more than a decade. This continuity, we believe, is tightly linked to the company’s success. Agnico has by no means escaped the perils of the gold mining industry. In 2011, its Goldex mine (now back in production) had to be shut down due to rock failure that led to ground subsidence and stability issues, and the write off of the company’s investment in Goldex. Travails in Finland, during the start-up of its Kittila mine in 2009, are also part of the company’s recent history. In our view, this diversity of experiences, combined with key management continuity, has shaped Agnico into the industry leader it is today.
  • Unmatched growth potential among the senior gold producers. We estimate Agnico’s five-year production growth at more than 25%, leading to a corresponding growth in operating cash flow. In contrast, most other seniors are struggling to sustain production.
  • The right number of operations in the right places. Agnico operates five mines in Canada, one in Finland, and two in Mexico. This is right about the maximum number of operations and regions we like to see gold companies managing, and they are all in mining friendly jurisdictions.
  • Potential for further discoveries. Agnico has had a successful strategy of finding or acquiring new projects by combining a consistent focus on exploration with investment in early-stage opportunities/companies. Agnico is currently developing the high-grade Meliadine project in Nunavut, Canada, with reserves of 3.4 million ounces, and the Amaruq deposit, a satellite deposit to the existing Meadowbank operation.

We have written extensively about the positive, post bull market transformation of the gold sector into a healthy, cash flow generating business, offering attractive returns. A re-rating of the entire sector to reflect this transformation is justifiable in our view. Companies need to continue to demonstrate that they are deserving of the premium valuation multiples they have historically enjoyed. The formula, although complex, is not too complicated: Increase the potential and ability to develop gold deposits into profitable and sustainable mines while reducing the risks associated with those developments, and the company should enjoy a re-rating by the market.

1 U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) indicates the general international value of the U.S. dollar. The DXY does this by averaging the exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and six major world currencies: Euro, Japanese yen, Pound sterling, Canadian dollar, Swedish kroner, and Swiss franc.

2 NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index (GDMNTR) is a modified market capitalization-weighted index comprised of publicly traded companies involved primarily in the mining for gold.

3 MVIS™ Global Junior Gold Miners Index (MVGDXJTR) is a rules-based, modified market capitalization-weighted, float-adjusted index comprised of a global universe of publicly traded small- and medium-capitalization companies that generate at least 50% of their revenues from gold and/or silver mining, hold real property that has the potential to produce at least 50% of the company’s revenue from gold or silver mining when developed, or primarily invest in gold or silver.

by Joe Foster, Portfolio Manager and Strategist

With more than 30 years of gold industry experience, Foster began his gold career as a boots on the ground geologist, evaluating mining exploration and development projects. Foster is Portfolio Manager and Strategist for the Gold and Precious Metals strategy..

Please note that the information herein represents the opinion of the author and these opinions may change at any time and from time to time.

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Trump Uncertainty Could Be “Huge” for Gold

Trump Uncertainty Could Be “Huge” for Gold

Market Review – Trump Uncertainty Could Be “Huge” for Gold

Gold Market Commentary November 2016

Market Review

Our positive view on the long-term prospects for gold remain unchanged. The U.S. elections are over, and markets will likely take time to reflect the full impact of a Trump victory. Gold immediately rose above $1,300 per ounce yesterday on news of Trump’s win, but settled back to end the day at $1,278. Price volatility in the short run is not surprising.

Fed Comments on December Rate Hike Break Gold’s Upward Move

The strong price movements that followed the U.K. Brexit vote on June 23 had set gold on a new positive trend, breaking the downtrend that had been established during the 2013-2015 gold bear market. On October 4, however, gold fell $44 per ounce, a 3.4% drop for the day, and gold closed below $1,300 per ounce for the first time since June 24. As it had for most of the year, the downward pressure followed comments by some Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) members that were interpreted by the market as increasing the likelihood of a Fed interest rate hike occurring in December. In addition, and importantly, Chinese markets were closed the first week of October for the Golden Week holidays. With gold’s biggest buyer out on vacation, gold was left very vulnerable, which we believe emboldened short sellers. Gold closed as low as $1,251 per ounce on October 14 but bounced back modestly to end the month at $1,277.30 per ounce, down $38.45 or 2.9% for the month.

A Rate Increase Has Been Priced into Gold and U.S. Dollar

At the beginning of November, markets attached about a 78% probability to a December Fed rate hike, as implied by the federal funds futures markets. This probability stood at 59% at the end of September, despite U.S. macro data releases that were very mixed, as has been the case throughout the post-crisis recovery. There were certainly some positive economic surprises in October: PMI (Purchasing Managers’ Index) readings from both the ISM (Institute of Supply Management) and Markit Group in the manufacturing, non-manufacturing, and services sectors showed some expansion and an increase in August factory orders for U.S. goods.1

In contrast, however, weak data were reported for U.S. employment, the preliminary University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index,2 the Empire State Manufacturing Index,3 housing starts, and the U.S. Consumer Confidence Index.4 While 3Q gross domestic product (GDP) headline growth was above consensus, personal consumption missed expectations by a wide margin. By mid-October, regional Fed growth forecasts were being downgraded. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s 4Q 2016 GDP Nowcasting Report, for example, shows 1.4% growth as of October 20 versus 2% growth in late August. In this environment, a rate hike does not appear to us as the obvious next move by the Fed, but the market is pricing it in, and both gold and the U.S. dollar reflected this in October. While gold was down 3%, the U.S. Dollar Index (DXY)5 was up 3% during the month.

Demand for Gold Withstood Recent Selloff

Despite the drop in the gold price in October, demand for gold bullion-backed exchange traded products (ETPs) held firm. Inflows have no doubt slowed down compared to earlier in the year (0.4% increase in holdings in October compared to 12% and 6% increases in February and June respectively), but demand continued during the recent selloff. We believe this is positive since investments in gold bullion ETPs typically represent longer-term, strategic investment demand. In contrast, the latest Commitment of Traders report shows a significant decline in COMEX6 net long positions, which reached record levels this year. We think COMEX positioning reflects more speculative and shorter-term demand for gold, and the recent decline suggests perhaps some of those weaker players liquidated positions during the October selloff.

Gold stocks underperformed the metal, as expected when bullion prices fall. The NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index (GDMNTR)7 fell 7.3%, and the MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index (MVGDXJTR)8 dropped 8.8% during the month. This decline trimmed gains for the year to 79% for GDMNTR and 110% for MVGDXJTR as of October 31, while gold bullion gained 20.3% during the same year-to-date period.
Election Uncertainty and Asian Demand Should Support Gold

The gold price is on a slightly different track now compared to our previous expectations. A correction was not surprising, given gold’s outstanding performance this year. But we thought that the $1,300 level might hold and gold would continue on the new trend established this year, potentially exiting 2016 around the $1,400 level. Although our shorter-term outlook has been curbed by the recent price action and we now think that gold may not reach $1,400 in 2016, we believe strong seasonal demand out of Asia and continued uncertainty following the results of the U.S. presidential election could lend support to gold in the near term. In the first week of November, gold managed to rally back above $1,300. The Fed decided to keep rates unchanged at its November 2 Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, but this was widely expected, so we estimate the positive move was most likely driven by market concern over the outcome of the U.S. elections. Market views quickly shifted, once again, and on November 8, Election Day in the U.S., gold closed at $1,277. Following Trump’s stunning victory, gold rose back above the $1,300 price level on the morning of November 9.

Trump Presidency May Increase Financial Risk

With the contentious presidential election finally over, we can now assess the impact that the Trump victory will have on the country and more importantly, how it potentially increases risk to the financial system.

Although Trump emerged successful in the election, there remains tremendous uncertainty surrounding his morals, temperament, and judgment. Internationally, high levels of trepidation around his foreign policies are not likely to subside quickly, and his anti-trade stance could damage economic growth. In our opinion, Trump’s aggressive immigration policy was no doubt one of the key drivers of his appeal but could lead to potential civil unrest, extreme costs, and logistical challenges once implemented. If Trump is able to implement some of what he promoted during the campaign trail, infrastructure spending could push the national debt to unsustainable levels and deficit spending should continue. While the risks of a Trump presidency are substantial, the potential for pro-growth tax and regulatory reforms may partially mitigate risks.

Independent of policy specifics, there exists a growing chance our newly elected president will likely preside over the next recession. After eight years of expansion, there are signs that the economy has entered the ”late cycle” phase. The Fed’s efforts to tighten policy could create a further drag on growth. A recession layered onto the existing risks we see in a Trump presidency, in our view, makes a systemic financial crisis more likely.

Higher Rates Not Always Negative for Gold

A Fed rate hike in December appears almost fully priced-in already. The common argument is that higher rates are negative for gold given that it is a non-yielding asset. Yet, following the first rate hike of the current tightening cycle in December 2015, gold has advanced more than 20% so far this year. In fact, Scotiabank analyzed the previous six tightening cycles since 1982 (when a suitable gold index became available) and it found that gold prices advanced in the year following the first rate increase in half of the cycles, whereas gold declined in the other half.

Scotiabank points out that the only other point at which the Fed raised rates in a low-inflation environment was in 1986 when rates were increased to help defend a sharply depreciating U.S. dollar. It was one of the rate-rising periods when gold performed well. This is shaping up to be a similar period demonstrated by gold’s already strong performance after the first rate increase in December 2015. The economic and financial backdrop of the current rate cycle is unlike any other in recent history, and we expect gold to continue to perform well. In our opinion, the stress that rising rates have the potential to place on the global economy and financial system are very bullish for gold.

Long-Term Outlook Remains Positive for Gold Bull Market

Our view on the long-term gold price is unchanged. We see the recent weakness as a consolidation phase within what we believe is the early stages of the next bull market for gold. We continue to believe dislocations created by the unconventional policies being implemented by central banks around the world are likely to increase global financial risks. We believe that investors will continue to be driven to gold as a safe haven given the further loss of confidence in central banks on a global scale and perhaps domestically, and the uncertainty following Trump’s presidential victory.9

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by Joe Foster, Portfolio Manager and Strategist

With more than 30 years of gold industry experience, Foster began his gold career as a boots on the ground geologist, evaluating mining exploration and development projects. Foster is Portfolio Manager and Strategist for the Gold and Precious Metals strategy.

1In the U.S., the federal funds rate is “the interest rate” at which depository institutions actively trade balances held at the Federal Reserve, called federal funds, with each other, usually overnight, on an uncollateralized basis. Institutions with surplus balances in their accounts lend those balances to institutions in need of larger balances. 2The correlation coefficient is a measure that determines the degree to which two variables’ movements are associated and will vary from -1.0 to 1.0. -1.0 indicates perfect negative correlation, and 1.0 indicates perfect positive correlation. 3U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) indicates the general international value of the U.S. dollar. The DXY does this by averaging the exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and six major world currencies: Euro, Japanese yen, Pound sterling, Canadian dollar, Swedish kroner, and Swiss franc. 4The ISM Manufacturing Index is an index based on surveys of more than 300 manufacturing firms by the Institute of Supply Management. The ISM Manufacturing Index monitors employment, production inventories, new orders and supplier deliveries. 5A survey of consumer confidence conducted by the University of Michigan. The Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index (MCSI) uses telephone surveys to gather information on consumer expectations regarding the overall economy. 6The U.S. consumer confidence index (CCI) is an indicator designed to measure consumer confidence, which is defined as the degree of optimism on the state of the economy that consumers are expressing through their activities of savings and spending. 7NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index (GDMNTR) is a modified market capitalization-weighted index comprised of publicly traded companies involved primarily in the mining for gold. 8MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index (MVGDXJTR) is a rules-based, modified market capitalization-weighted, float-adjusted index comprised of a global universe of publicly traded small-and medium-capitalization companies that generate at least 50% of their revenues from gold and/or silver mining, hold real property that has the potential to produce at least 50% of the company’s revenue from gold or silver mining when developed, or primarily invest in gold or silver.

Please note that the information herein represents the opinion of the author and these opinions may change at any time and from time to time.

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This document does not constitute an offering or invitation to invest or acquire financial instruments. The use of this material is for general information purposes.

Please note that Van Eck Securities Corporation offers actively managed and passively managed investment products that invest in the asset class(es) included in this material. Gold investments can be significantly affected by international economic, monetary and political developments. Gold equities may decline in value due to developments specific to the gold industry, and are subject to interest rate risk and market risk. Investments in foreign securities involve risks related to adverse political and economic developments unique to a country or a region, currency fluctuations or controls, and the possibility of arbitrary action by foreign governments, including the takeover of property without adequate compensation or imposition of prohibitive taxation.

Please note that Joe Foster is the Portfolio Manager of an actively managed gold strategy.

Any indices listed are unmanaged indices and include the reinvestment of all dividends, but do not reflect the payment of transaction costs, advisory fees or expenses that are associated with an investment in the Fund. An index’s performance is not illustrative of the Fund’s performance. Indices are not securities in which investments can be made.

1U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) indicates the general international value of the U.S. dollar. The DXY does this by averaging the exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and six major world currencies: Euro, Japanese yen, Pound sterling, Canadian dollar, Swedish kroner, and Swiss franc. 2NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index (GDMNTR) is a modified market capitalization-weighted index comprised of publicly traded companies involved primarily in the mining for gold. 3MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index (MVGDXJTR) is a rules-based, modified market capitalization-weighted, float-adjusted index comprised of a global universe of publicly traded small- and medium-capitalization companies that generate at least 50% of their revenues from gold and/or silver mining, hold real property that has the potential to produce at least 50% of the company’s revenue from gold or silver mining when developed, or primarily invest in gold or silver. 4Fannie Mae (Federal National Mortgage Association); Freddie Mac (Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation)

Please note that the information herein represents the opinion of the author and these opinions may change at any time and from time to time. Not intended to be a forecast of future events, a guarantee of future results or investment advice. Historical performance is not indicative of future results; current data may differ from data quoted. Current market conditions may not continue. Non-VanEck proprietary information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but not guaranteed. No part of this material may be reproduced in any form, or referred to in any other publication, without express written permission of VanEck. ©2016 VanEck.

Gold Price and U.S. Dollar Head in Opposite Directions

Gold Price and U.S. Dollar Head in Opposite Directions

Gold Price and U.S. Dollar Head in Opposite Directions Van Eck Global’s gold specialist Joe Foster shares his monthly perspective on the gold market.

» Open Gold Market Commentary

Gold Price and U.S. Dollar Head in Opposite Directions

Gold Market Commentary

By: Joe Foster, Gold Strategist

Market Review

After falling to its cycle lows in July, the gold price had advanced nicely and last month we wondered whether the positive trend was sustainable. The short answer is: No, it wasn’t. In November, the gold price fell to new 5.5-year lows at $1,052 per ounce, as the U.S. Dollar Index1 (DXY) approached long-term highs. Gold ended the month at $1,064.77 per ounce for a loss of $77.39 (6.8%).

On November 4, Bloomberg News reported that Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) Chair Janet Yellen said an improving economy would set the stage for a December interest rate increase if economic reports continue to assure policymakers that inflation will accelerate over time. This set the tone for both gold and the U.S. dollar, which fell and rose, respectively, for the remainder of the month. A strong jobs report on November 6, followed by generally positive economic releases throughout the month enabled market consensus to gain momentum for a rate increase at the December 16 Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting. Gold bullion exchange-traded products (ETPs) saw 1.59 million ounces (49.3 tonnes) of redemptions in November which drove gold ETPs’ combined holdings to a new cycle low of 47.92 million ounces (1,490.3 tonnes).

During November gold equity indices fell with the gold price and nearly met the lows set in July. The NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index2 (GDMNTR) declined 8.5%, while the Market Vectors Junior Gold Miners Index3 (MVGDXJTR) fell 8.6%. Low gold prices caused investors to largely ignore the robust results of the third quarter earnings season. BMO Capital Markets reported free cash flow of $978 million from the North American senior miners, far surpassing expectations of $94 million. Scotiabank’s universe of senior and larger mid-caps had production that was 3% above expectations and all-in mining costs that were 8% lower than expected. The favorable results stemmed from operating efficiency, bear market pricing for materials and services, low local currency values, and low fuel prices. Many companies have indicated that there is still room to cut costs further. We now expect positive production results and cost-savings to continue in 2016.

Physical demand for gold bars, coins, and jewelry improved in the third quarter. The World Gold Council (WGC) reported that Q3 gold demand increased by 8% over Q2 and by 14% over last year. Year-to-date demand is up 3% versus the same period in 2014. The WGC reckons that there was a gold market deficit of 56.0 tonnes in Q3. The largest drivers of this strong demand were India and China, where demand increased 13% in each country which equates to a 58.0 tonne increase over Q2. Chinese demand continues as physical deliveries from the Shanghai Gold Exchange through November have now surpassed the record set in 2013.

Investors might wonder how gold can make new lows in July and again in November while the market has been in a deficit, which means demand is presumably outstripping supply. The gold market is unique among commodities and indeed unique in the financial world. Most gold is hoarded as a financial asset, like currencies, stocks, and bonds. It is not consumed like oil, copper, or soybeans. All of the gold ever produced is sitting in a vault, safe, jewelry box, place of worship, or museum, or is adorning a person’s body. This gold represents a huge reservoir of potential supply, some of which is available at a price. This is why the supply/demand drivers that apply to most commodities may not apply to gold. In addition, the gold market is not sufficiently transparent to account for all of the transactions that occur globally. All of the gold that the WGC can account for amounted to a 56.0 tonne deficit in Q3, however, there is gold the WGC cannot count that may make this deficit larger or perhaps nonexistent altogether.

For commodities other than gold, strong physical demand drives prices higher – prices follow demand. With gold, the current price drives physical demand – demand follows prices. Lower prices entice buyers in India and China. They also bring strong retail demand from the U.S. and Europe. This physical demand increases when prices drop, helping to stabilize prices. However, physical demand usually diminishes when prices increase.

Investment demand generates price strength in the gold market and a lack of investment demand characterizes bear markets. The motives that drive both physical and investment demand are the same – to utilize gold as a store of wealth and a hedge against currency weakness, tail risk4, or financial stress. However, investment demand manifests itself mainly in the futures market in New York and the over-the-counter market in London. These markets exert the largest influence on gold prices and they are driven more by macroeconomic, financial, and geopolitical events than by prices and supply/demand equations.
Gold ETPs are relatively transparent vehicles that we use as a proxy for broad investment demand. In Q3 global bullion ETPs had 63.0 tonnes of redemptions. This is probably a good indicator of weak investment demand in New York and London. It also lends better insight into price action than physical demand from China or elsewhere.

We believe that physical demand should play a larger role in price discovery, and maybe it eventually will as the Asian gold market grows and matures. In the meantime, the Chinese seem happy to accumulate all the gold the West cares to provide at low gold prices. Regardless of what we believe should happen, we make investment decisions based on what actually drives the market. This means investing in companies that can survive intact or gain an advantage if a lack of investment demand drives prices lower than expected.

Market Outlook

Once again the markets are essentially convinced that the Fed will raise rates at the next FOMC meeting. Based on recent Fed comments, economic releases, and the level of expectations, we will be shocked if the Fed doesn’t raise rates. Rate rising cycles introduce risks to the economy and financial system and they often end badly. According to Gluskin Sheff5, a bull market in the S&P 500 Index6 has never ended after an initial rate hike. It is a different story if the rate hikes keep coming. The stock market crashed in October 1987 after three rate hikes over five months. NASDAQ crashed in April 2000 after six rate hikes over 11 months. Rate increases are often a prelude to recessions, which become increasingly likely as the yield curve flattens or inverts (when short-term rates exceed long-term rates).

The Fed has never waited as long as five years into a bull market to begin to raise rates. A few reasons the Fed has been reluctant to pull the trigger:

■ In the last four decades, the Fed has never raised rates when the Institute of Supply Management (ISM) Manufacturing Index7 was below 50, which signifies a manufacturing recession. The ISM Index is currently 48.6.
■ How long can Fed policies diverge from the rest of the world where the central banks of Europe, China, Australia, and Japan are all easing to combat economic weakness?
■ Every country that started a rate-hiking course after the Great Recession that ended in 2009 was ultimately forced to reverse course.

On November 2 as we watched Fed Chair Yellen address the Economic Club of Washington D.C., the U.S. Dollar Index approached a 12.5-year high while gold made a new 5.5-year low at $1,052 per ounce. With the U.S. dollar and gold at extreme levels, it seems the market has already priced in forthcoming rate hikes. Credit Suisse reported in October that historically when the U.S. has raised rates the dollar has stopped appreciating. In some cases the dollar fell into a bear market and in others the dollar eventually recovered.
Gold has a similarly inconsistent reaction to rate increases, as shown in this excerpt from our March gold market update, written when the market was obsessed with the Fed’s rate decision, as it unfortunately still is:

Scotiabank has analyzed the last six tightening cycles since 1982 when a suitable gold index became available. They found that gold prices advanced in the year following the first rate increase in half of the cycles, whereas gold declined in the other half. Scotia points out that the only other point at which the Fed raised rates in a low-inflation environment was in 1986, when rates were increased in order to help defend a sharply depreciating U.S. dollar. It was also one of the rate-rising periods when gold performed well. The Scotia analysis leads to an uncertain outlook; it tells us that sometimes gold advances when rates rise and sometimes it does not. However, the economic and financial backdrop to the next rate cycle is unlike any other in history. The imbalances in asset markets, sovereign debt levels, and central bank finances create risks that may become overwhelming under the stress of rising rates. Perhaps the first rate increase will mark the beginning of the end of the gold bear market.

by Joe Foster, Portfolio Manager/Strategist

With more than 30 years of gold industry experience, Foster began his gold career as a boots on the ground geologist, evaluating mining exploration and development projects. Foster offers a unique perspective on gold and the precious metals asset class.

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Please note that Van Eck Securities Corporation offers actively managed and passively managed investment products that invest in the asset class(es) included in this material. Gold investments can be significantly affected by international economic, monetary and political developments. Gold equities may decline in value due to developments specific to the gold industry, and are subject to interest rate risk and market risk. Investments in foreign securities involve risks related to adverse political and economic developments unique to a country or a region, currency fluctuations or controls, and the possibility of arbitrary action by foreign governments, including the takeover of property without adequate compensation or imposition of prohibitive taxation.

Please note that Joe Foster is the Portfolio Manager of an actively managed gold strategy.

Any indices listed are unmanaged indices and include the reinvestment of all dividends, but do not reflect the payment of transaction costs, advisory fees or expenses that are associated with an investment in the Fund. An index’s performance is not illustrative of the Fund’s performance. Indices are not securities in which investments can be made.

1NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index (GDMNTR) is a modified market capitalization-weighted index comprised of publicly traded companies involved primarily in the mining for gold. 2Market Vectors Junior Gold Miners Index (MVGDXJTR) is a rules-based, modified market capitalization-weighted, float-adjusted index comprised of a global universe of publicly traded small- and medium-capitalization companies that generate at least 50% of their revenues from gold and/or silver mining, hold real property that has the potential to produce at least 50% of the company’s revenue from gold or silver mining when developed, or primarily invest in gold or silver. 3Tail risk is the risk of an asset or portfolio of assets moving more than three standard deviations from its current price. 4S&P 500® Index (S&P 500) consists of 500 widely held common stocks covering industrial, utility, financial, and transportation sectors. 5Dot-com bubble grew out of a combination of the presence of speculative or fad-based investing, the abundance of venture capital funding for startups and the failure of dotcoms to turn a profit. Investors poured money into internet startups during the 1990s in the hope that those companies would one day become profitable, and many investors and venture capitalists abandoned a cautious approach for fear of not being able to cash in on the growing use of the internet. 6Source: Bloomberg.

Please note that the information herein represents the opinion of the author and these opinions may change at any time and from time to time. Not intended to be a forecast of future events, a guarantee of future results or investment advice. Historical performance is not indicative of future results; current data may differ from data quoted. Current market conditions may not continue. Non-Van Eck Global proprietary information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but not guaranteed. No part of this material may be reproduced in any form, or referred to in any other publication, without express written permission of Van Eck Global. ©2015 Van Eck Global.