Updating gold ratios to cyclical markets

Kitco Media
By Gary Tanashian
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Updating gold ratios to cyclical markets teaser image

Important gold ratios to markets that are more cyclical

When gold rises again vs. these markets the counter-cyclical economic view will generally be back on. Gold has far more utility (insurance, risk-off liquidity, relative value retention) during economically troubled times than cyclical assets like stocks and commodities.

Gold/SPX (U.S. stock market)

A sweet consolidation as the market angst of the spring has gone bye-bye. This is a lovely consolidation that was much needed as gold got over-pumped to the upside (and stocks to the downside) in April.

Graph showing the Gold to S&P 500 ratio over time, with price movements and trend lines. Indicator values and trading volumes are also displayed.

Gold/Global (World, ex-U.S.)

Another constructive downward consolidation in the monetary metal vs. global stock markets. Sure, it’s below the moving averages, which are about to Death Cross. You’d do well to tune such noise out. It’ll probably spring a rally in the ratio and in my opinion, end the correction.

Line chart showing the price trend of gold compared to global markets (ex-U.S.) from August 2023 to September 2025, with volume and indicators below.

Gold/CRB Commodity Index

A nice, flat consolidation riding the uptrending 50 day moving average. Counter-cyclical gold laying in wait to out-perform cyclical commodities into the next counter-cycle.

Line chart displaying the Gold/CRB Index, showcasing price movements over a selected time period with moving averages and indicators.

Gold/WTI Crude Oil

Another uptrending counter-cyclical marker, which is another way of saying another indicator trending toward a rude interruption, at least, of this phase of the economic cycle. The gold mining industry would benefit, fundamentally (product up in relation to cost input).

Line chart displaying the Gold/WTI Oil ratio over time, highlighting key price levels, moving averages, and market trends.

Gold/Copper

The market got a lot of noise injected by Trump expectations vs. what the Trump jawbone actually said (about copper related tariffs). But the moving averages show uptrends in Au/Cu the whole while. Star counter-cyclical metal bullish vs. star cyclical metal.

Line chart depicting the Gold/Copper ratio over time, featuring trend lines, moving averages, and key price levels.

Gold/Silver Ratio

Moving on to a couple more complicated items, the post-April pullback in the GSR has given life to many “SGR trades” as I call them. Those with an implied tailwind with a rising Silver/Gold ratio. The GSR is still trapped below the moving averages and so, those trades drag on. But at such time as GSR may start to bull and drag the US dollar along with it, best to consider backing away from the punch bowl and stay away from the pool, because it’ll have a strange brown object floating in there.

Chart showing the Gold/Silver ratio, with price levels, moving averages, and technical indicators over time. The chart illustrates trends and fluctuations in the ratio, indicating the relative strength of gold compared to silver.

Gold/Inflation Expectations

This ratio is sliding along bullishly. The indication is that inflation has not been a major problem since 2023. The indication is that the opposite of inflation could even come to be feared before the next inflationary phase.

A line graph depicting the Gold/Inflation Expectations gauge (RINF) with price trends, moving averages, and oscillators displayed, illustrating fluctuations in gold prices compared to inflation expectations over time.

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Kitco Media

Gary Tanashian

Gary Tanashian is proprietor of the financial market website http://www.biiwii.com and a technical analysis and commentary blog (http://www.biiwii.blogspot.com. The focus is on broad market trends and precious metals. A contrarian by nature, Gary uses macro-fundamentals, technical analysis and market ratio analysis to remain on the right side of the trade.

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