In January this year, gold ETFs attracted $US19 billion, the strongest month on record, according to the World Gold Council. ETFs have made it easier to invest in gold, Dr Cheema says, as you no longer need to hold physical gold, but can instead buy and sell through an exchange traded fund just as you do with stocks and shares. "So, compared to holding physical gold, a gold ETF is very easy, you can invest even a very small amount." "Central banks throughout the world, especially China, Turkey, India, Indonesia, they are increasing their gold reserves," Dr Cheema says. Our government doesn’t hold any gold reserves, having sold off the last of it some decades ago.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 20, 2026 20:33 UTC