The World Gold Council (WGC) has issued a significant correction to its data on central bank gold purchases, revealing that the institutional demand driving the recent bull market has been overstated.
The industry body's erratum, published in July 2026, adjusts figures that had previously suggested a more robust accumulation trend by sovereign buyers than actually occurred.
7% to trade at $4,162, reflecting a shift in sentiment as investors reassess the demand side of the market.
This revision strikes at the core of the narrative supporting gold's recent price strength, which has relied heavily on the premise of relentless central bank buying to offset other macroeconomic headwinds.
Gold prices retreated on Tuesday, pressured by a strengthening US dollar and growing market expectations that the Federal Reserve may raise interest rates later this year.
The precious metal fell 0.7% to trade at $4,162, reflecting a shift in sentiment as investors reassess the demand side of the market.
The WGC's data adjustment removes a key pillar of support, suggesting that the structural bid from official sectors may be weaker than the market had priced in.