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In recent weeks the European
banking sector's refinancing problems have grown significantly, as major
credit rating agencies have downgraded a number of important banks. Thus,
Italian and French bonds have come under increasing pressure. Some market
observers believe that the most indebted eurozone
countries will ultimately resort to selling their gold reserves.
Italy's central bank owns 2,452
metric tonnes of gold – the world's fourth
largest holding. According to data from the World Gold Council, only the US,
Germany and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) own more gold than Italy.
In the face of an escalating sovereign crisis in Europe, an increasing number
of investors are wondering whether some countries might start selling part of
their gold reserves. In recent months the yield on 10-year Italian government
debt hit a high of 7.48%, and a few days ago the yield on five-year bonds hit
a new record high. Soon Italy might not be able to refinance its maturing
sovereign debt. Although the European Central Bank is buying Italian debt,
the country faces the risk of following the same fate as Portugal, Ireland or
Greece. These countries had to seek bailout by the European Union and the IMF
after the yield on their bonds soared out of control.
Now the financial markets are
focusing on Italy, the third-largest eurozone
economy. This has contributed to the latest devaluation of the euro, which
has dropped from US$1.45 to US$1.30. However, due to this rally in the US
dollar, commodities, precious metals and emerging market stocks have come
under strong sales pressure.
Italy’s gold reserves are
currently worth $120 billion. This would be more than enough to cover Italy's
budget deficit, which currently stands at $80 billion. French gold reserves
are slightly smaller than Italy's and would not be enough to settle the french government's current budget deficit of $150
billion. Nevertheless, according to market observers, by selling its gold
reserves France would significantly reduce its deficit and could soothe the
financial markets. The yield on European bonds could drop, thus easing the
pressure on the euro.
In recent weeks the commodity
markets have been under strong sales pressure due to the negative outlook for
the global economy. More and more investors are dreading similar developments
as in 2008, after the US investment bank Lehman Brothers crashed. The Lehman
collapse was followed by massive drops in stock markets. Arguably, today's
economic problems are much more serious than three year ago. Countries on the
verge of bankruptcy have to find solutions – and find them fast –
to what seems to be a no-win situation.
Should European central banks
decide to openly sell their gold, the yellow metal’s price would likely
fall. But, in the longer run, the gold price will still benefit from this
situation. Once the European governments have nothing else to turn to other
than the European Central Bank’s printing press, gold and other
tangible assets will surely increase further in value – relative to
rapidly-depreciating fiat currencies
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