For much of 2026, one of the biggest concerns hanging over the gold market was the possibility that central banks had quietly shifted from buyers to sellers. Rising geopolitical tensions, a stronger U.S. dollar, higher real interest rates, and concerns surrounding Middle Eastern reserve management all fueled speculation that official-sector gold accumulation might be coming to an end. According to a new report from UBS strategist Joni Teves, those fears appear to have been overstated. World Gold Council data showed central banks and other official institutions purchased a net 244 tonnes of gold during the first ... (full story)