Gold ETFs Snapped Five-Month Inflow Streak in May

All regions, except Europe, witnessed outflows in May this year.

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): According to the most recent World Gold Council (WGC) report, the worldwide physically backed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) lost their momentum of inflows during the month of May this year. During the month, the worldwide gold ETF flows turned negative.

The gold ETFs lost $1.8 billion in May 2025, ending a five-month inflow run, according to the most recent WGC statistics. Since November of last year, this is the first monthly outflow. The withdrawals and a minor drop in gold prices caused the total assets under management (AUM) of global gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to drop by just 1% to $374 billion.

WGC Market Update: Chinese Gold ETF Flows Flipped in January

Additionally, the total amount of ETF holdings fell by 19 tonnes to 3,541 tonnes. It should be mentioned that the total amount of gold held in 2025 has increased by 322 tonnes thus far.

This year's May saw outflows from every area but Europe. North American funds experienced the biggest withdrawals. There were $1.5 billion in net outflows from the region's funds. For the first time since January, this month was negative. In May, outflows from Asia totaled $489 million. Additionally, according to WGC, funds listed in other countries saw $27 million in small outflows in May of this year.

However, moderate inflows occurred in Europe, which added $225 million in May. Continued outflows from Germany and the UK were more than offset by inflows into France.