Investment
₹
Think twice before buying gold this Akshaya Tritiya!
Posted On Wednesday, Apr 30, 2014
India accounts for a sizable share of the global gold market. A well established supply chain has evolved over the years to cater to this large market which is dispersed across the length and breadth of the country. Most of the gold is imported in the country largely through banks and nominated agencies authorised by RBI to import gold in India. Then we have the bullion dealers who act as wholesalers who buy from bank and onward lend it to retailers, jewellers etc.
Although some discrepancies do exists at the retail gold market with different premiums, making charges, mark ups charged to the end user the wholesale market is highly efficient with tighter bid ask spreads and thin margins.
But things are fast changing. We are going back to the pre reform days i.e the period prior to the 1990s when it was a highly restricted market. With government introducing a variety of measures including raising duties from close to 1% to 10% and then restricting the supply by mandating an export obligation for all the gold imported in the country.
The resulting shortage of gold in the market has created an impending supply shortage leading to gold trading at a premium over and above the landed cost. This means buyers have to shell out more for their gold purchases as compared to what they would have paid had these gold restrictive policies not been introduced. Also, this premium on account of a limited potential supply tends to vary depending on the acuteness of demand and supply.
Premiums tend to increase during times of increased demand especially during festivities and occasions when traditional / cultural demand is high. Reduced imports have resulted in lower volumes for the industry making the supply chain more opportunistic who are seeking to enhance margins when the demand is high and buyers desperate. It's the demand supply imbalance and price becomes the balancing factor. With limited supplies, they will sell to the ones willing to bid at a premium.
As seen in the chart below, the price differential paid by the buyer in India had significantly narrowed down since the onset of reforms in the 1990s until they have been reversed over the past two years by the government in order to control the burgeoning current account deficit. The differential paid by the buyer of gold in India is largely composed of Import duty which is 10% + VAT which is 1% + the premium prevailing at that point of time. Since the onset of quasi supply restrictions, the premiums have ranged between 2-12% approximately.
The Spread as shown above looks low as seen from a long term perspective. But, as seen over the last few years, it really reflects how an efficient market has turned distorted. As seen in the chart below, the spread prevailing in India which includes duties, taxes and any premium was very low until 2011. However, as governments started imposing tariffs and policies, it has truly been a distorted market with buyers having to bear the brunt in form of high prices.
The festival of Akshaya Tritiya which is the second largest gold buying day in India is just around the corner. With the demand expected to increase, so would the premiums on gold likely increase. So would the supply chain squeeze this opportunity to make a quick buck. As a buyer, be aware of what you are paying and how much you are comfortable paying. With you spilling an extra 11% in duties and taxes plus the premiums which may be high on account of increase in demand and limited potential supply on account of restrictive policies in place. As a buyer, you need to understand that these distortions mean that Gold prices need to move up that much before you just break even.
We understand the emotions to buy gold on this auspicious day. If indeed compulsive, adjust your quantity based on the premiums you are comfortable paying.
Although some discrepancies do exists at the retail gold market with different premiums, making charges, mark ups charged to the end user the wholesale market is highly efficient with tighter bid ask spreads and thin margins.
But things are fast changing. We are going back to the pre reform days i.e the period prior to the 1990s when it was a highly restricted market. With government introducing a variety of measures including raising duties from close to 1% to 10% and then restricting the supply by mandating an export obligation for all the gold imported in the country.
The resulting shortage of gold in the market has created an impending supply shortage leading to gold trading at a premium over and above the landed cost. This means buyers have to shell out more for their gold purchases as compared to what they would have paid had these gold restrictive policies not been introduced. Also, this premium on account of a limited potential supply tends to vary depending on the acuteness of demand and supply.
Premiums tend to increase during times of increased demand especially during festivities and occasions when traditional / cultural demand is high. Reduced imports have resulted in lower volumes for the industry making the supply chain more opportunistic who are seeking to enhance margins when the demand is high and buyers desperate. It's the demand supply imbalance and price becomes the balancing factor. With limited supplies, they will sell to the ones willing to bid at a premium.
As seen in the chart below, the price differential paid by the buyer in India had significantly narrowed down since the onset of reforms in the 1990s until they have been reversed over the past two years by the government in order to control the burgeoning current account deficit. The differential paid by the buyer of gold in India is largely composed of Import duty which is 10% + VAT which is 1% + the premium prevailing at that point of time. Since the onset of quasi supply restrictions, the premiums have ranged between 2-12% approximately.
Chart: How much more are you paying
| *Average Prices and Spread | Source: RBI |
| Data Compiled by Quantum AMC | |
Chart: Spread over international gold price (converted to rupees)
| Note: Spread includes duties +taxes+ premiums | Source: RBI |
| Data Compiled by Quantum AMC | |
The festival of Akshaya Tritiya which is the second largest gold buying day in India is just around the corner. With the demand expected to increase, so would the premiums on gold likely increase. So would the supply chain squeeze this opportunity to make a quick buck. As a buyer, be aware of what you are paying and how much you are comfortable paying. With you spilling an extra 11% in duties and taxes plus the premiums which may be high on account of increase in demand and limited potential supply on account of restrictive policies in place. As a buyer, you need to understand that these distortions mean that Gold prices need to move up that much before you just break even.
We understand the emotions to buy gold on this auspicious day. If indeed compulsive, adjust your quantity based on the premiums you are comfortable paying.
Data Source: Bloomberg, World Gold Council
Statutory Details and Risk Factors:
The views expressed here in this article are for general information and reading purpose only. The views expressed here do not constitute any guidelines or recommendation on any course of action to be followed by the reader. The views are based on the publicly available information, internally developed data and other sources believed to be reliable. The views are meant for general reading purpose only and are not meant to serve as a professional guide / investment advice / intended to be an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any financial product or instrument or mutual fund units for the readers. Whilst no action has been solicited based upon the information provided herein, due care has been taken to ensure that the facts are accurate and opinions given fair and reasonable. Recipients of this information should rely on information/data arising out of their own investigations. Readers are advised to seek independent professional advice and arrive at an informed investment decision before making any investments. None of The Sponsor, The Investment Manager, The Trustee, their respective directors, employees, affiliates or representatives shall be liable for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, consequential, punitive or exemplary damages, including lost profits arising in any way from the information contained in this document.
Mutual fund investments are subject to market risks read all scheme related documents carefully.
Please visit – www.Quantumamc.com/disclaimer to read scheme specific risk factors. Investors in the Scheme(s) are not being offered a guaranteed or assured rate of return and there can be no assurance that the schemes objective will be achieved and the NAV of the scheme(s) may go up and down depending upon the factors and forces affecting securities market. Investment in mutual fund units involves investment risk such as trading volumes, settlement risk, liquidity risk, default risk including possible loss of capital. Past performance of the sponsor / AMC / Mutual Fund does not indicate the future performance of the Scheme(s). Statutory Details: Quantum Mutual Fund (the Fund) has been constituted as a Trust under the Indian Trusts Act, 1882. Sponsor: Quantum Advisors Private Limited. (liability of Sponsor limited to Rs. 1,00,000/-) Trustee: Quantum Trustee Company Private Limited. Investment Manager: Quantum Asset Management Company Private Limited. The Sponsor, Trustee and Investment Manager are incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956.
Related Posts
-
Gold Monthly for July 2025
Posted On Wednesday, Jul 02, 2025
We are already halfway through 2025, and it will be safe to look back and say, ‘It was all Yellow’
Read More -
Gold Monthly for June 2025
Posted On Tuesday, Jun 10, 2025
After four consecutive months of positive returns, Gold experienced a slowdown in May, though remaining relatively flat from April closing.
Read More -
Gold Monthly for May 2025
Posted On Tuesday, May 06, 2025
Gold continued its upward momentum in April 2025 reaching as high as $3,495 an ounce.
Read More
