Since the first half of 2012, the Straits Times Index (STI) has appreciated +2.3% while the price of the Gold has advanced +7.0%. While dividend distributions boost the return of the STI to +3.6% over the period, Gold, as a commodity, does not distribute dividends. This is a distinct difference between stocks and commodities as asset classes.
 
Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) can provide an efficient, transparent and flexible market for key commodities such as Gold. Other Gold Related Stock Charts here.
 
Participation in Gold ETFs around the world picked up strongly in the third quarter of this year. This was preceded by flat ETF demand in the second quarter of this year, as reported by the World Gold Council (WGC) last week. This meant that the growth in demand for global Gold ETFs averaged over the two quarters was more aligned with the consistent growth ...