Gold mining returns have been awful over the last 3 and 12 months
Source: Short Side of Long
I’ve been getting a few emails with requests to write about the Precious Metals sector. Coming into the FOMC decision, in the previous blog post, we summarised the price and 12 month returns for major global asset classes such as US stocks, EM stocks, US bonds and Gold. Today we turn our attention on a minor asset class, which is undoubtedly one of the most oversold and hated investments in today’s financial market conditions – Gold Mining equities (via Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF (NYSE:GDX)).
Performance over three and 12 month time frames, together with sentiment and breadth readings, all indicate that mining shares are most likely ready for a relief rally. Furthermore, the price of the mining equities has recently tested a major support level dating all the way back to year 2000. There should be buying interest right here and that is clearly seen by sky high volume in various ETFs such as GDX.
Finally, this past week's FOMC decision to keep rates on hold has become a headwind for the US dollar and might be a temporary tailwind for the precious metals sector.