Figure of the month: 1,800

There are three reasons why Xetra-Gold is one of the most popular exchange-traded commodities on Xetra: First, trading the ETC is as flexible, transparent and cost-effective as stock trading. Second, Xetra-Gold is as crisis-proof and stable as physical gold – since each share is entirely backed by physical gold. And third, Xetra-Gold owners may exchange their security for physical gold at any time – the so-called exercise of the right to delivery. 

1,800 exercises averaging 4.3 kg since 2007

Investors usually opt for Xetra-Gold to avoid the disadvantages of buying and storing physical gold, which entails significantly higher transaction costs as well as additional fees for a safe or a bank deposit box. Still, it does happen that investors exercise their right and prefer a gold bar over a security. This process is not without costs, which Xetra-Gold owners should be aware of. For example, the delivery of one kilo bar costs about €275, which would amount to almost 0.5 per cent of its value at the current gold pric

A total of 7.7 out of 223.7 tonnes of total gold holdings thus far delivered

In the 16 years since the market launch of Xetra-Gold, 7.752 tonnes of gold have been delivered, which is roughly 3 per cent of the current total holdings. The largest delivery was 213 kg, which today corresponds to a value of €12.29 million. The smallest exercise amounted to just 10g with a value of €577. The holdings consist mainly of newer gold bars produced shortly before or since the first issue of Xetra-Gold, but there are also a few very old gold bars in the inventory. The oldest one was produced over a century ago, in 1916. Holdings are now preferably expanded with bars made from recycled gold, as far as possible, and these recycled bars are also the ones preferably delivered.