Last 15 years' precious metal prices changes by month...
PRECIOUS METALS analysts often speak about a seasonal shape in the gold market.
That's because, over recent decades, gold prices have sometimes seen a rise in the New Year and spring, followed by a summer drop or lull, and then a further rise into year-end.
Some analysts link that pattern to seasonal changes in the global demand for gold, thereby leading changes in silver and
platinum prices from January to December, too.
True or not, here you can see how gold prices have averaged across the calendar over the last 15 years, and compare the best and worst months since 2003 for
silver prices and platinum as well.
You can choose to see how prices changed in either US Dollar terms, or Euros or British Pounds.
The chart also lets you see how many times since 2003 each month showed a gain for gold, silver and platinum prices.
Whatever pattern you might or might not see in the chart, consumer gold demand does have a clear seasonal pattern.
Demand in China – now the world's No.1 gold consumer nation – peaks with Chinese New Year. That's followed by Valentine's Day, and then the festive season of Akshaya Tritiya in southern India.
The summer brings a lack of festivals or weddings on India's Hindu calendars, before household demand in the No.2 consumer nation jumps in the run-up to Diwali. Followed by Christmas – the peak gifting season across Europe and the Americas – that then runs into retailer stockpiling for the Chinese New Year again.
Consumer demand is only factor which can affect gold prices however. Rising assets tend to require inflows of investor cash, chasing prices higher.
So check out January's track record for rising precious metal prices. Clearly the New Year invites strong investing into gold, silver and most especially platinum.
That might make December a good time to buy, ahead of that New Year's pop in prices.
