Exposed gold loses its safe haven lustre

Die-hard gold bugs looking for the market’s return to prominence are being confronted with a sobering truth; in the latter explosive phase of bullion’s 10-year bull run, the last thing on investors’ minds was safety, the watchword for its appeal.

Those buying gold as prices approached a record $1,920.30 an ounce were not seeking protection or even diversification; they were looking to make a quick buck on what has become just another financial instrument.

This means gold is exposed to the same factors as other instruments, such as equities, without the traditional support of being regarded as a safe haven from political and financial instability.