From smh.com.au

Article link

ANZ has started a second bullion vault in Asia to cater for growing physical demand that the bank sees driving prices as much as 13 per cent higher over two years.

The leased facility, which can hold 50 metric tonnes, opened in Singapore last month, adding to storage in Hong Kong, Perth and Zurich, according to Eddie Listorti, co-head of fixed income, currencies and commodities. The vault could keep $US2.13 billion ($2.36 billion) of metal at yesterday’s close, Bloomberg calculations show.

The bullish stance on gold from ANZ, which has forecast the metal at $US1400 an ounce in 2014 and $US1500 in 2015, contrasts with the outlook from Goldman Sachs, which predicts lower prices as the US Federal Reserve scales back stimulus.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/business/markets/gold-bull-anz-opens-50tonne-vault-in-singapore-20130801-2r0kp.html#ixzz2ah9OzpqY

The latest World Gold Council report is out, in summary it details the following:

Report download link (requires a login, which can be created for free)

Gold and US interest rates: a reality check
An in-depth analysis on the true relationship between gold and US real interest rates – and how it has changed over time – disproving common misconceptions and exploring gold’s portfolio performance during different interest rate environments.
Read more

What drives gold? Factors that influence the asset class and its role in a portfolio

An examination of the seven primary factors influencing gold’s performance: currencies, global inflation, interest rates, consumer spending and income growth, market risks, short-term investment flows and supply-related drivers.

Read more

The role of gold in defined-contribution plans: Mexico case study

A study exploring the benefits of having gold as an integral component of retirement portfolios, focusing on the Mexican pension fund experience.

Read more

From nation.com.pk

Article link

ISLAMABAD - The Economic Coordination Committee on Tuesday decided to impose a temporary ban of 30 days on duty-free import of gold.

According to SRO 266(I)/2001, dated May 7, 2001, the government has taken initiatives to diversify exports to promote the export of value-added gold jewelry. For this purpose, currently there are special schemes in operation to facilitate jewelry exporters whereby they are able to import gold without payment any duty on the condition that this gold is re-exported after converting it into value-added jewelry.
Recently however, there have been serious apprehensions that these schemes for duty-free import of gold are being abused by some unscrupulous elements and the national interest is being damaged. That is to say that instead of the duty-free gold being used for the purpose it was intended, it is being smuggled to India.

In this respect, it is noteworthy that in recent months the import of gold into Pakistan, under these schemes has seen an enormous surge which is highly abnormal.

During the period of January to June, 2013, gold worth Rs92.97billion was imported compared to Rs19.132 billion for the same period in 2012. This trend has become even more alarming since in the first 26 days of July, the import of gold under these schemes was to the tune of Rs52.549 billion.

In view of these developments, the government has taken cognizance of the apparent abuse of these schemes and decided to take some immediate steps to prevent further damage to the national economy.

The ECC decided to impose a short-term ban of 30 days on the duty-free import of gold, but this ban is purely temporary and is intended to allow the government sufficient time to re-examine the operation of these schemes with a view to speedily removing any loopholes and deficiencies. The objective of the government is to quickly restore these scheme in an improved form, so that genuine exporters of gold jewelry are facilitated in the best possible way to contribute to the national objective of increasing exports.

Read in full

From RussiaToday

Published on Jul 30, 2013
After years of China's rapid growth and development, the world's second largest economy appears to be slowing down. The government is expecting the lowest rate of economic expansion in more than two decades - at 7.5 percent. James Corbett, editor of The Corbett Report news website, joins RT to talk more on China and its place in the global economy.

From RussiaToday

Published on Jul 30, 2013
In this episode of the Keiser Report, Max Keiser and Stacy Herbert discuss the real world Monopoly board game without a jail and on which most players must pass 'go' and receive just $200 in foodstamps while a select few get to pass 'go' and collect $200 billion in bailouts, bail-ins and subsidies. 

In the second half, Max talks to precious metals expert, Andrew Maguire, about the run on the bullion banks happening right now.

This post refers to the Reserve Bank of Australia and expectations of a lowering of the cash rate at the next RBA meeting (held the on 1st Tue of each month).

From ten

Published on Jul 30, 2013
Just when they were expected to rise, approvals for new homes have fallen through the floor, which could spark another rate cut from the RBA.

Interesting discussion with Mike Maloney and James Anderson on the subject of counterfeit bullion coins and bars. We at Discreet Bullion agree with Mike, you need to deal with a professional precious metal dealers that sources their bullion with an unbroken link to the refinery. Discreet Bullion has unbroken links to our Swiss and Australian bullion providers.

From whygoldandsilver

From RussiaToday

Published on Jul 27, 2013
In this episode of the Keiser Report, Max Keiser and Stacy Herbert discuss the 'capital Taliban' and the 'monetary jihadists' at the Bank of England, aka 'financial terrorists,' but not for the reasons Vince Cable claims they are. Stacy suggests that monetary policy could use a burka as it's walking in a g-string loose at the moment.

In the second half, Max talks to Alasdair Macleod of Macleod Finance and Goldmoney about gold backwardation, GOFO and the 1300 tonnes of gold missing from the Bank of England!

Max Keiser and Stacy Herbert talk about the latest in financial news and scandals. This week they cover Vince Cable referring to Bank of England as Taliban, revelations that automobiles can be hacked and JP Morgan retreating from the physical commodities markets.