Mining’s old guard needs strong medicine
A new report details subpar investor returns in the mining industry over the last decade, particularly big cap diversified companies which have not adapted to new realities.
The Economic Times reports gold and diamond jewellery sales across India fell by 25-30% in grammage terms during Diwali due to rising gold prices and a noticeable shift to coins and bars, said a leading industry body which represents 300 000 jewellers.
India is world’s number one gold jewellery market and the sales figures can be seen as a setback for the industry. In August the World Gold Council said despite a higher gold price, Indian demand grew 38% during Q2 2011 compared to the same period of 2010 and will continue to expand for the rest of the year. India imported 918 tonnes of gold in 2010.
Read more about India’s growing impact on world commodity markets.
The WGC’s advertising campaign ‘10 Diwalis ago’ focuses on gold as a storer of value:
China has been slowly hauling in India in terms of demand for bullion and MINING.com reported last week that Chinese consumers made the most of the dip in the price of bullion and mainland China’s gold purchases via Hong Kong hit almost two tonnes per day in September, a sixfold increase year-on-year and up 30% from August, according to figures released by the Hong Kong government. Read more about gold going viral in China.
MINING.com reported over the weekend according to a new report by MarketWatch, gold’s allure is shifting to a new generation. Many people in their 20s and 30s have little faith in equities and, unlike older investors, are more inclined to consider alternative investments. Others seek tangible, hard assets as a counterweight to stocks, bonds and cash in the aftermath of the 2008 US financial crisis. Read more about Generation X and Y turning into Generation Au.
2 Comments
Sailor Mac
In the year 16o AD a Roman author complained that Rome was sending their gold to India and getting silks and spices in return. Said Pliney the Elder: “India, China and the Arabian peninsula take one hundred million sesterces from our empire per annum at a conservative estimate: that is what our luxuries and women cost us.
The more it changes , the more it stays the same!!!!!
Diamond Rings UK
Hmm… I had read a similar article few days back, but it did not mention about China also getting into in the groove with India. Illustrative, Keep posting.