Gold may rally to a record as investors from China, Japan and the Middle East buy the metal on expectations of “hyper inflation” created by central banks, according to Phoenix Gold Fund Ltd. “The real driver for gold is the ocean of new monetary reserves being created by irresponsible central banks around the world,” David Crichton-Watt, Kuala Lumpur-based manager of the $140 million fund, said in an interview. “Hyper inflation is a very likely outcome, so gold can go to any number of dollars.” Bullion may extend its 10th annual advance as Japan, struck by a massive earthquake and tsunami on March 11, joins global peers in bolstering money supply, Crichton-Watt said. The metal climbed to a record $1,444.95 on March 7 as turbulence in the Middle East and the debt crisis in Europe spurred demand for haven investments. “Western governments and Japan’s government are essentially bankrupt and have no intention of ever reducing their deficits or indebtedness,” Crichton-Watt, 63, said. “Once confidence goes, there will be a real panic.” European leaders will meet this week to create a permanent solution to the region’s debt crisis. JPMorgan Chase & Co. said Portugal’s government may collapse today as the parliament votes on budget cuts that have divided lawmakers. Japan’s central bank pumped 40 trillion yen ($494 billion) of cash into the financial system since the temblor and tsunami to soften the economic impact. Phoenix Gold, managed under AIMS Asset Management Bhd. and set up 2001, holds shares in gold-mining companies, physical gold as well as futures and options. It posted a 2010 return of 58.2 percent, after a jump of 121.7 percent in 2009, according to data compiled by Bloomberg News. Hedge Funds Commodity hedge funds as measured by the Newedge Commodity Trading Index on average returned 11 percent last year after a similar growth in 2009. Gold for immediate delivery traded little changed at $1,428.60 an ounce in Singapore today. Bullion gained 30 percent in 2010 as central banks, pension funds and individuals sought protection against currency debasement and inflation after governments spent $2 trillion to salvage the global economy from the worst recession since World War II. “The demand for physical gold has been predominantly from China and the Middle East and I think this will continue and indeed escalate,” Crichton-Watt said. “Asia is where the money is, so this is where demand will center.” Chinese and Indian jewelry demand reached a record in 2010, the World Gold Council said last month. Physical bar purchases globally climbed 63 percent to 204.7 tons in the fourth quarter, and Asia accounted for most of the buying, the council said. Bullion assets held in exchange traded products, or ETPs, stood at 2,030.702 tons as of March 22. Holdings reached a record 2,114.60 tons on Dec. 20. “The market is not overbought much here, so I think it would have to go much higher before we have a major correction,” Crichton-Watt said. “Still, very few people own gold so the price will undoubtedly go much higher, and it will most likely end in a mania.” To contact the reporter on this story: Kyoungwha Kim in Singapore at Kkim19@bloomberg.net To contact the editor responsible for this story: James Poole at jpoole4@bloomberg.net

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