Gold Is Falling: Is It Still a Safe Haven?

ETFguide
ETFguideApr 18, 2026

Why It Matters

The sell‑off is a liquidity‑driven blip, not a loss of safe‑haven appeal, suggesting a potential rebound that could reshape portfolio allocations.

Key Takeaways

  • Gold sell‑off reflects short‑term liquidity crunch, not safe‑haven loss.
  • Market stress drives higher asset correlation, amplifying gold’s price moves.
  • Historical crises (2008, 2020) showed similar temporary gold declines.
  • Central‑bank buying, a major demand driver, has slowed amid energy price spikes.
  • Expect renewed central‑bank purchases once volatility subsides, boosting gold.

Summary

The video examines the recent dip in gold prices and asks whether the metal’s traditional safe‑haven status is under threat. Host Steve argues the sell‑off is a short‑term liquidity dislocation rather than a fundamental shift in gold’s role.

He notes that during periods of extreme market stress, assets become more correlated, amplifying directional moves. Liquidity needs force investors to sell even safe‑haven assets, a pattern seen in the 2008 financial crisis and the 2020 pandemic‑driven market turmoil.

Central‑bank purchases, which have driven gold demand for the past five years, have slowed as nations grapple with higher energy costs. Steve points out that once the current volatility eases, central banks are likely to return to the market to diversify away from dollar‑denominated holdings.

The implication is that the current decline is temporary; investors should view the dip as a buying opportunity rather than a signal that gold has lost its defensive qualities.

Original Description

Uranium, copper, and silver are surging amid the Iran conflict, energy security pivots, and a $2.6 trillion U.S. defense budget. Sprott Asset Management Head of ETFs Steve Schoffstall discusses how geopolitical tensions and defense spending are reshaping the critical metals market.
In this episode of Metals in Motion, Thalia Hayden @etfguide chats with Steve Schoffstall, Managing Partner, Sprott Inc. and Head of ETFs at Sprott Asset Management about trends in critical materials, energy markets and defense might drive mining demand.
#metals #mining #etf
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Important Video Disclosures
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Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) are considered to have continuous liquidity because they allow for an individual to trade throughout the day, which may indicate higher transaction costs and result in higher taxes when fund shares are held in a taxable account.
The funds are non-diversified and can invest a greater portion of assets in securities of individual issuers, particularly those in the natural resources and/or precious metals industry, which may experience greater price volatility. Relative to other sectors, natural resources and precious metals investments have higher headline risk and are more sensitive to changes in economic data, political or regulatory events, and underlying commodity price fluctuations. Risks related to extraction, storage and liquidity should also be considered.
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Sprott Asset Management USA, Inc. is the Investment Adviser to the Sprott ETFs. ALPS Distributors, Inc. is the Distributor for the Sprott ETFs and is a registered broker-dealer and FINRA Member. ALPS Distributors, Inc. is not affiliated with Sprott Asset Management USA, Inc.
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