Overview

• The S&P/TSX Composite Index has gained about 11 per cent year-to-date compared to an 8 per cent rise in the S&P 500
• The price of gold has climbed roughly 30 per cent this year, with the August contract near US$3,400 an ounce and the S&P/TSX Global Gold Index up about 40 per cent
• Precious metals sectors have accounted for nearly 30 per cent of the TSX’s gains, reflecting safe-haven flows driven by trade disputes and geopolitical volatility
• Central banks have ramped up gold purchases after freezing of Russian assets post-Ukraine invasion prompted reserve diversification
• Fund managers say that despite recent rallies, retail investors still have opportunities to benefit from gold and precious metal equities