The recent movement in the precious metals markets, an incredible 33% upside price move since August 2018, has reflected an increased level of fear and greed throughout the global markets. Particularly, throughout the foreign markets. Precious metals, specifically Gold, has skyrocketed to some of the highest levels in recent times as foreign currencies devalue against the US Dollar.Still, consumers, institutions and central governments/banks are buying as much as they can right now.

12 Month Capital Shift Seen in Currencies

As we have been suggesting over the past 12+ months, a capital shift continues to play out in the global markets where capital is actively seeking the best, most secure locations for investment and we believe that will result in strength in mature global economies. Take a look at this chart of various foreign currencies to understand how this capital shift process is really playing out across the globe.

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Japan, Canada, Switzerland are all experiencing moderate price weakness against the US Dollar – yet these mature economies are fairing better than many others. The relationship between the EUR and the GPB appears to be relatively stable as both currencies have dramatically weakened over the past 16+ months – almost in perfect alignment. Comparatively, the other currencies within this display have experienced dramatic price weakness over the past 4+ years in relationship to the US Dollar and their associated PAIR currencies.

Gold Price Comparison In Other Currencies

The recent upside price move in precious metals exasperates the issue of localized consumption/acquisition of Gold/Silver as pricing pressures continue to push local pricing higher and higher. We are still very early in the bullish price cycle for precious metals.As increased fear and greed enter the markets over the next 15+ months, we believe the scramble to acquire physical metals and market positions will continue to increase even further.

These Gold Price Comparison charts, below, show just how dramatic the upward price move has been for foreign investors in local currencies. In US Dollar terms, Gold has risen just over 33% (approx: $350 USD).In Canadian Dollar terms, it has risen 30% over the past year (approx: $475 CAD). In Australian Dollar terms, it has risen just over 34% (approx: $590 AUD). In Chinese Yuan terms, it has risen just over 36% (approx: $$2,965 CNY). In Indian Rupee terms, it has risen just over 29% (approx: $2,545 INR).The reality is that precious metals have gotten very expensive for foreign investors in local currencies – and this is just starting to the metals rally.

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The primary reason for this is the continued capital shift that has been taking place over the past 2 to 4+ years. As the global markets entered a period where commodity prices started collapsing (2014 in Oil), the global markets started shifting away from emerging markets and risky assets/investments. The hunt for more secure investment sources was on.

When Oil bottomed in early 2016, a reprieve in investor sentiment settled into the markets where expansion into more risky assets took place. All of this changed with the top formation in the US stock market in early 2018 and the downside price rotation in Oil in October 2018. Now, as precious metals start to rally and clearly illustrate that fear and greed are entering the markets, the continued hunt for secure, mature economic environments continue at a record pace.