Gold ETFs attracted a record US$19 billion (A$27.3 billion) in net inflows in January, according to the World Gold Council.
The inflows plus a 14% rise in the gold price pushed global gold ETF assets under management to a record US$669 billion.
That's a 20% increase on December.
Collective global holdings of the safe-haven asset rose by 120 tonnes to 4,145 tonnes, also a record high.
Asia invested a net $10 billion in gold ETFs in January, its strongest month ever, while the US invested $7 billion, its second-best month.
Europe invested a net $2 billion amid escalating geopolitical tensions over Greenland, which drove continued interest in gold ETFs.
Here in Australia, ASX gold ETFs attracted US$202 million in inflows, taking local AUM to US$8.6 billion.
Image source: Getty Images
What happened to the gold price in January?
The gold price reached a record US$5,608 per ounce during the month.
The commodities rout that started on 29 January put a three-day drag on gold's otherwise impressive monthly performance.
The council said investors appeared to buy the dip, with all regions bar Europe recording net inflows on 30 January and 2 February.
The gold price fell from US$5,608 per ounce on 29 January to $US4,405 per ounce on 2 February before commencing a rebound.
By the market close on Friday (Australian time), the gold price had recovered to about US$4,870 per ounce.
Interested in ASX gold ETFs?
Global asset manager, Sprott, which runs one of the world's largest gold bullion investment funds, says the reasons to invest in gold "remain in place, but are also compounding".
If you're interested in ASX gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs), here are three options.
Betashares Global Gold Miners Currency Hedged ETF (ASX: MNRS)
The MNRS ETF invests in 56 gold shares, with 44% in Canada, 14% in the US, 13% in South Africa, and 8% in Brazil.
Its largest holding is Newmont Corporation (NYSE: NEM), which has CDIs listed on the ASX as Newmont Corporation CDI (ASX: NEM).
MNRS tracks the Nasdaq Global ex-Australia Gold Miners Hedged AUD Index.
This ASX ETF has total net assets of $267 million and a management fee of 0.57%.
VanEck Gold Miners AUD ETF (ASX: GDX)
The GDX ETF invests in 93 shares, with 44% in Canada, 20% in the US, 11% in Australia, and 6% in China.
The ASX gold ETF's biggest holding is Newmont shares.
GDX is also invested in Aussie miners like Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) and Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN).
This ETF has total net assets of $1.61 billion and a 0.53% fee.
Global X Physical Gold (ASX: GOLD)
The GOLD ETF seeks to mirror the performance of the gold price in Australian dollars.
The index it tracks is the NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index (AUD).
Global X says GOLD is the largest and most liquid gold-backed ETF on the ASX, with the lowest bid/ask spread.
This ETF has total net assets of $6 billion and a 0.4% fee.
