ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Shining hedge
U.S. gold demand surged 140% year over year to 679 tons, driven mainly by investment through exchange-traded funds.
-
1759953093.png)
Staff Reporter - Sun, 29, Mar 2026
- 04:12 EDT
- 17
Gold. / IANS
Gold investment is becoming increasingly popular in the United States, driven by market swings, political events, and changing investor sentiment. In March 2026, gold prices rose after Donald Trump suggested easing tensions with Iran. Even a brief shift in global risks changed how people felt about gold, underscoring its sensitivity to uncertainty. Instead of scaring investors away, this volatility is encouraging them to see gold as a safe place to invest.
ALSO READ: WTO talks stalled going into final day
The overall political and economic climate matters a lot. Worries about inflation, interest rates, and foreign policy have made people more cautious. Even though a strong dollar and higher bond yields can push gold prices down, ongoing uncertainty keeps demand for gold steady.
Two recent surveys clearly show this shift. One study looked at online searches and found that nearly half of gold-related searches in the U.S. are now about buying, not simply learning. Another survey from January 2026 asked 2,000 Americans and found that 38.6% had invested in gold or silver in the past year. More than 90% of those investors said they would likely keep buying. Millennials were the most active, indicating that interest in gold is growing among younger people, not just older, traditional investors.
U.S. gold demand surged 140% year over year to 679 tons, driven mainly by investment through exchange-traded funds, financial products that track the price of gold and are traded on stock exchanges. These allow investors to gain exposure to gold without physically owning it. ETF inflows accounted for more than two-thirds of total demand, while coin and jewelry purchases weakened due to high prices.
Comparing the U.S. and India shows a stark difference in how gold is held. The U.S. has about 8,100 tons of official gold reserves, while India has around 880 tons. But Indian households are estimated to own 25,000 tons. Gold investment in the U.S. is mostly institutional and tied to financial products. In India, it is personal, physical, and closely linked to cultural traditions.
Discover more stories on New India Abroad.
Related
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
E Paper
Video
Comments
Start the conversation
Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.
Sign Up Now
Already have an account? Login