Russia Continues To Add To Its Gold Stack In April
Russian Central Bank Adds Another 15.5 Tons of Gold To Reserves In April
The Russian Central Bank announced last week that its gold reserves had reached 47.5 million troy ounces (approximately 1,477 metric tons). The total included an additional 500,000 ounces (15.5 tons) of gold added in April.
The Central bank of Russia added a record 208 tons of gold to reserves in 2015. Last year Russia suffered financially as international sanctions and plummeting oil prices took their toll on the rouble and the inflation rate reached double digits. According to the World Bank, oil is by far Russia’s largest export and represents about 15-20% of Russia’s GDP and the majority of government revenues. 2016 has started off better for Russia. The price of oil and gold have increased significantly in 2016 and have helped Russia improve its financial situation and reserves.
Despite the weakness in the Russian economy, the Russian Central Bank has bolstered its foreign reserves from about $350 billion a year ago to over $390 billion at the end of April 2016. The Russian Central Bank has a stated goal of increasing reserves to about $500 billion in the coming years.
Gold now constitutes about 15% of the Central Bank of Russia’s $390 billion reserves with her gold hoard valued at approximately $60 billion.
U.S. Treasuries as Part of Russia’s Foreign Reserves
In January 2014, Russia’s U.S. Treasury position was $131 billion. In reaction to U.S. inspired sanctions being placed on her, Russia sold a substantial portion of her U.S. Treasury holdings. Russian U.S. Treasury holdings reached a low of $66.5 billion in April 2015. Since then Russia has added back a portion of its U.S. Treasury holdings. As of February 2016, Russia held $87.6 billion in U.S. Treasury Securities.
Earlier this week, Reuters reported that Russia was planning to offer $3 billion in Euro bonds to help close budget gaps. It will be the first Russian Euro Bond issuance since international sanctions were imposed. Russia’s gold reserves, while not backing the bonds, should provide some level of comfort to investors who will receive the 4.65-4.90 percent on the debt securities.
The Gold Option
Russia’s pace of adding gold to reserves is the fastest in the world, surpassing China whose gold reserve additions over the past year are the second highest. Since 2009 Russia has added more than 850 tons of gold to its reserves more than China who added about 750 tons during the same time period.
As a result of Russia’s gold buying binge, Russia has vaulted into the top ten gold holding nations and is now the sixth largest.
The decision to add gold to reserves has paid off as the price of gold has risen nearly 20% over the past year, with most of the gain coming in 2016. Russian gold mining produces the third largest annual output in the world. Exchanging depreciating Roubles for a good portion of their gold mining output has helped increase the value of Russia’s reserves. By retaining an increasing percentage of its gold mining output the Central Bank of Russia has been in effect converting roubles into gold.
This article by BGASC is not, and should not be regarded as, investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular course of action.