Growing demand for gold bars and coins

Demand for gold remained strong over the first three months of the year, rising by 11 per cent to 981.3 tons, according to figures from the World Gold Council.

The rise came as investors bought gold coins and bars, demand for which was up by 52 per cent to 366.4 tons over the quarter. Gold exchange-traded funds, on the other hand, witnessed their first net quarterly outflows since mid-2007.