Twenty years after central banks in the West dumped gold in what many saw as the end of the metal's role in the global monetary system, their counterparts in emerging countries are hoarding gold at rates not seen in over 50 years. Central banks bought 145.5 tons of gold in the first quarter of 2019, an increase of 68% compared with last year and the strongest first quarter since 2013, according to the World Gold Council. In the past four quarters, these banks have hoarded over 715 tons of the precious metal — the highest that the industry-led body has ever recorded. The central banks stepped up buying gold following ... (full story)