The returns on SGBs have demonstrated parity with the Nifty 50 Total Returns Index over the eight-year period.
In a world marred by recent global macroeconomic events, investors have been treading cautiously. This heightened sense of uncertainty has kindled a renewed interest in a time-tested asset class – Gold!
Recent macroeconomic upheavals, including the Israel-Palestine conflict, escalating interest rates, surging US Bond yields, and a general economic slowdown in the US and Europe, have spurred investors to seek shelter. Gold, with its reputation for stability and value retention, has rekindled its allure as a strategic addition to investment portfolios. Amidst all this, a select group of investors who embraced gold approximately eight years ago are poised to reap the rewards of their foresight!
The sovereigns of gold, investors who seized the opportunity to participate in the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) scheme’s inaugural tranche in November 2015, are on the brink of receiving a pleasant surprise in the form of impressive returns.
In this article, we will delve into what awaits these forward-thinking bondholders and examine the performance of their investments.
What’s Happening?
On November 30, 2015, the Reserve Bank of India issued the first tranche of Sovereign Gold Bonds, amounting to 914 kg, on behalf of the government. Of this considerable sum, 54 kg worth of gold bonds have already been redeemed by the investors. The remaining 860 kg is slated for redemption this month.
When scrutinising the returns on these bonds, it becomes evident that they have closely mirrored the returns of the benchmark Index, the Nifty 50.
What Have Been the Returns for Investors in These Bonds?
These bonds were originally issued at the rate of Rs 2,684/gram. At present, the prevailing rate for 24-carat gold hovers around Rs 6,100/gram. This translates to an impressive return of 10.92%. However, the sweetener in this deal was the scheme’s inclusion of an interest rate of 2.75% on the issue price.
The returns on SGBs have demonstrated parity with the Nifty 50 Total Returns Index over the eight-year period.
The capital gains from these bonds upon redemption are tax-free, while the interest income is taxable at the investor’s applicable tax slab.
More on Sovereign Gold Bonds
As it stands, bonds worth 120.58 tonnes of gold, equivalent to a staggering Rs 56,328 crores, have been issued in successive tranches. The Government of India introduced this scheme with the objective of steering Indians away from physical gold, a practice that contributes significantly to the country’s current account deficit due to India’s substantial gold imports. India ranks as the second-largest consumer of gold globally after China.
Moreover, Sovereign Gold Bonds enjoy a distinct advantage over physical gold, which often entails additional costs such as storage and insurance.
Impact on Investors
Gold has always held a special place in the hearts of investors, especially during periods of stock market volatility. It also serves as an effective hedge against the adverse effects of high inflation, which is the current scenario. In this light, investors were already contemplating the inclusion of gold in their investment portfolios.
What’s Next?
The revelation that the returns from the first tranche of Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs) mirror the Nifty 50 returns over an eight-year period is likely to bolster investor confidence. This data further underscores the wisdom of adding gold to one’s investment portfolio, especially during turbulent times.
By keeping an eye on developments in the global economy and embracing the enduring allure of gold, these investors have exemplified the kind of wisdom that transforms an ordinary Diwali into a truly golden one!
That’s it for today. We hope you’ve found this article informative. Remember to spread the word among your friends. Until we meet again, stay curious!
*The article is for information purposes only. This is not an investment advice.
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