Gold Is Way Down. Here’s When To Worry.

Gold has fallen from its lofty August levels. The precious metal appears to be at a crossroads, but the price likely has to slide more from here in order for investors to get really spooked.

The price of gold ran up 37% between March 15, 2020—roughly when investors were most fearful about the economic damage from the Covid 19 pandemic—and August 2, 2020. That day, gold hit an all-time high of US$2,028, as seen by the Gold Continuous Contract (GC00). Even though stocks rose in that time span, demand for haven assets remained strong, as there weren’t many meaningful signs that the world would soon emerge from the pandemic.

Since hitting a record, the commodity has fallen 9% to date. “The long-term uptrend in gold is teetering on the edge,” wrote Jason Goepfert, founder of Sundial Capital Research in a note.

While gold has been in a concerning downtrend of late, gold-related stocks offer some optimism for the precious metal. Gold mining stocks are typically correlated with the actual commodity price. As an example, Goepfert highlights the VanEck Vectors Gold Miners ETF (GDX), which has largely echoed gold’s moves over the past year. The ETF rose more than twofold between mid-March and early August, before falling 20% from the August level to date.

But now gold mining stocks suggest there could be brighter days ahead for the commodity. Roughly 20% of gold mining stocks have been trading above their 200-day moving averages on most days in the past two weeks, down from more than 85% of those stocks recently, Goepfert said. This cycle has occurred several times in the past few years and usually precedes gains for most gold stocks in the coming three-month period, Goepfert says.

Even if gold price trends cannot reverse themselves, it likely isn’t time to get too bearish yet. The key price level to watch for the contract for the actual metal is US$1780, according to Sevens Report Research. A dip below that would be a negative signal, representing a double-digit percentage drop from the current level. Gold dropped to around that level in late November, but quickly popped back.

Gold may be at a fork in the road, but investors might not want to unload their gold holdings just yet.

New research from Knight Frank’s International Waterfront Index shows waterfront properties are costing more than double their inland counterparts in Sydney while in Melbourne waterside properties attract a 40% premium.

Australia’s coastline attracts some of the highest waterfront premiums in the world with Sydney topping the index — an average premium of 121% — compared to an equivalent home set away from the water.

Auckland ranked second on the list of 17 international locations — a premium of 76%. The list saw Gold Coast (71%), Perth (69%) and the Cap d’Antibes (59%) on the French Riviera round out the top 5.

Australia continued to feature prominently in the research with Brisbane’s waterfront premium coming in at 55%, with Melbourne also in the top 10 at 39%.

According to Knight Frank Australia’s head of residential research, Michelle Ciesielski, there has always been strong appetite for Sydney’s waterfront homes.

Australia’s luxury residential market has advanced, it lacks the depth of prestige markets in more established global cities said Cieselski.

“As a result, our Australian cities can achieve a significantly higher premium on the waterfront compared to a similar property inland without access to, or a view of, water,” she said.

“Also, Australia is known for its balmy outdoor lifestyle, so many buyers in this super-prime space are willing to pay a premium to secure the ideal position along the waterfront.”

The data also suggests that beachfront homes were most desirable, commanding a premium of 63% compared to harbour locations fetching 62% premium and coastal homes with a 40% premium.