Gold’s importance has been felt across global economies and has historically played a significant role in influencing foreign exchange (forex) markets. In earlier civilizations, gold coins were a prevalent medium of exchange. Over time, this transitioned to a system where the worth of paper currencies, like the US dollar or the British pound, was anchored to the gold reserves of respective governments, a system known as the Gold Standard.
By the 1930s, the United Kingdom and the United States had distanced themselves from this system. By 1971, the Gold Standard was relinquished for major currencies, signifying that fiat currencies were no longer pegged to a nation’s gold reserves. However, the continuous accumulation of gold by central banks and investors indicates the enduring influence of gold on the forex market.
While some opt for direct gold trading, others leverage the dynamic between gold and currency to trade forex pairs. Understanding how gold impacts currency values is pivotal for these trades.
Deciphering the Bond Between Gold and Forex Market
Though gold isn’t actively used in daily transactions, its potential remains. Its status as a resilient asset stems from a widely-held perception that gold could assume the role of fiat currencies in a hypothetical financial system collapse. This perspective gains traction when considering gold’s finite quantity and its historical role as a universal medium of exchange. Given its durability and compact storage requirements, many retain gold as a backup form of currency.
Furthermore, gold acts as a safeguard against inflation. For instance, if the US Federal Reserve suddenly doubled the dollar supply, potentially causing inflation, the gold price would surge proportionally. The rationale is that an influx of paper money wouldn’t compel gold holders or miners to relinquish their assets if other commodities also experienced price hikes. From September 2014 to April 2023, the gold price rose by 66%, indicating a correlation with expansive monetary policies rooted in the 2008 financial crisis’s aftermath.
Gold’s Influence on Various Currencies
The interplay between gold and forex rates is inherently tied to each currency’s inherent worth. For instance, the euro thrives during economic booms, while the dollar, valued for its stability, sees heightened demand during economic downturns. Notably, post-2020 Covid pandemic, gold surpassed the US Dollar Basket index and EURUSD performance. This underscores gold’s position as a shield against fiscal and societal unpredictabilities, with the dollar perceived as more stable than the euro in tumultuous periods.
Shift in Gold’s Relation with the US Dollar
Historically, the trajectory of gold prices mirrored that of the US dollar until around June 2019. Post this period, escalating apprehensions about the inflationary aftermath of heightened US government borrowing—aimed at rejuvenating the country’s credit-reliant economy—saw investors gravitate towards gold as a more secure wealth repository.
Gold and the Australian Dollar
The Australian dollar’s relationship with gold is multifaceted. As a burgeoning economy, Australia fares well when investors adopt a risk-on stance and vice versa. Simultaneously, with 17% of the world’s known gold reserves and being a prominent gold exporter, a spike in gold prices often coincides with a surge in AUDUSD value, as prospective gold buyers from Australia necessitate the local currency for transactions.
Gold and the Swiss Franc
The Swiss franc’s departure from the Gold Standard occurred in 2000, making it the last currency to do so. Historically perceived as a stable currency, the Swiss franc’s gold convertibility ceased, especially during market upheavals. Coupled with Switzerland’s subsequent lax monetary policies, the once-strong correlation between CHFUSD and gold prices has attenuated over time.
Approaches of Gold Trading
Despite the potentially disrupted correlation between gold and inflation, numerous investors persist in maintaining a portion of their wealth in the metal. Fortunately, diverse methods for acquiring and retaining gold are available, each suitability hinging on an individual’s specific circumstances.
Gold CFDs
A potentially convenient and cost-efficient method for obtaining exposure to gold prices involves utilizing online brokers offering CFD markets. CFDs, or Contracts For Differences, enable clients to profit or incur losses based on the fluctuations in gold prices without necessitating physical ownership of the metal. Although CFD brokers typically do not impose commissions on trades, utilizing leverage, which allows for risk-return scaling by effectively borrowing from the broker for a larger position, also introduces the possibility of amplified losses and profits.
Gold Stocks
Opting for shares in gold mining companies represents a proven method of tracking gold prices without directly purchasing the metal. These companies’ prosperity often directly correlates with gold prices, and their equities may provide dividends, constituting a regular income source. While shares can be traded with ease and minimal cost, the choice of broker and the potential absence of continuous management fees present further considerations. Companies, varying from those engaged in the precarious realm of gold exploration to well-established mining entities, offer diverse investment possibilities, each with distinct price volatility and market capitalization levels.
Gold ETFs
Investors can purchase gold-related assets with a single click through ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds). Different ETFs comprise varying components; some predominantly hold the metal, while others diversify more broadly, incorporating stocks from companies within the gold sector. Generally featuring lower operational costs than CFDs, ETFs find favor among investors with a longer-term perspective, minimizing the erosion of profits by administrative expenses.
Purchasing Physical Gold
Certain investors prefer the tangible possession of gold in forms like bullion or jewelry, providing direct access to their holdings and affording a sense of security against potential financial market collapses. However, the tangible holding of gold necessitates secure storage, incurring additional costs and posing a risk of loss through theft.
Regardless of the chosen method for gold acquisition, many strategies exist to assist in initiating trading. Whether focusing on scalping transient moves or investing in swing trades with a more prolonged view, numerous methods for identifying trading opportunities within the gold market are available.
Final Thoughts
Despite abandoning gold standard practices, gold significantly influences a nation’s currency value. In tandem with inflation, the trading, import, and export of gold critically impact a country’s currency value. The current gold rate plays a pivotal role in determining the value of the US dollar, subsequently influencing the value of other national currencies.
