Evidence before opinion.

Read demand by category.

The World Gold Council's Gold Demand Trends Q3 2026, published 3 November 2026, reports total demand including over-the-counter activity of 1,369 tonnes. Central bank purchases were 321 tonnes and ETF additions were 211 tonnes, while bar-and-coin demand was 268 tonnes.

Interpretation: aggregate demand can conceal different behaviour among institutions, funds and physical buyers. These quarterly estimates are context, not a timing signal.

Limit: estimates may be revised; category definitions and OTC estimates matter. These are global figures, not local retail availability or a live quote.

Understand the standard's scope.

LBMA maintains gold and silver Good Delivery Lists. Its framework helps explain the standards of the wholesale bullion market. A retail buyer should still verify the specific product, dealer, documentation and custody arrangements.

Limit: inclusion of a refiner does not certify an unrelated seller, account or investment product.

Minimum fees change the calculation.

A percentage storage fee may have a minimum charge. That floor can matter more than the headline rate on a small holding. Provider tariffs can also distinguish trading, withdrawal and currency charges.

Example source: BullionVault's tariff demonstrates why a complete fee schedule matters. Our calculator uses editable illustrative inputs rather than copying a provider's pricing.