The gold market experienced many fluctuations in June when precious metal prices fell sharply, followed by a wave of capital withdrawal from gold ETF funds in many markets. However, the latest report of the World Gold Council (WGC) shows that investment capital in gold ETF funds still maintains a positive state if calculated for the first 6 months of 2026.
According to WGC, physical gold ETFs globally recorded a net withdrawal of 8.9 billion USD in June, with all regions witnessing investors reducing their holdings. The North American region alone recorded the largest capital withdrawal in the month.
The adjustment took place in the context of sharply decreasing gold prices from a historical peak at the beginning of the year, while expectations that the US Federal Reserve (Fed) would maintain interest rates at a higher level for longer pushed bond yields and the USD back up, increasing the opportunity cost of holding gold.
However, in the first 6 months of 2026, gold ETF funds still attracted about 8 billion USD of net capital, showing that cash flow has not completely reversed after the market adjustment period.
The total amount of gold held by ETFs also increased by 18 tons, to 4,047 tons at the end of June. Meanwhile, total managed assets (AUM) decreased to 526 billion USD, mainly reflecting the impact of gold prices falling in the month.
By region, Asia continues to be a bright spot when recording the strongest first half of the year ever in capital inflows into gold ETFs. Conversely, North America is the only region to record negative net capital inflows in the first 6 months of the year, with about 7.7 billion USD withdrawn from gold ETF funds. Meanwhile, Europe still maintains capital inflows at a positive level.
According to the WGC, capital withdrawal in June reflects the impact of the gold price adjustment and expectations that interest rates will continue to be high. However, geopolitical uncertainties, economic growth prospects and financial markets may still continue to maintain demand for holding gold as an asset to diversify investment portfolios.
Besides ETF capital flows, WGC also said that trading volume on the gold market decreased in June, but the average for the first 6 months of the year is still at the highest level ever, showing that global gold trading activities are still maintained vibrant despite the price adjustment period.
