Gold Basis (near contract)

This chart shows the near gold futures contract basis and cobasis against the US dollar’s price in milligrams of gold.

The basis is a measure of the per annum return from carrying gold and is an indicator of abundance (the market would only offer a profit to arbitrageurs to stockpile gold if there was excess supply relative to demand). The cobasis is a measure of the per annum return from decarrying gold and is an indicator of scarity (the market would only offer a profit to arbitrageurs to sell gold from their stocks if there was a deficiency of supply relative to demand).

This chart should be read in conjunction with the Gold Carry/Decarry (near contract) chart (that shows the actual dollar per ounce profit/loss) as small dollar values that may not be worth arbitraging can produce larger basis/cobasis percentage as the days to expiry of a contract falls.

Note: this chart switches to the next contract 14 days from the start of first notice day.

3 Month Chart of Gold Basis (near contract)

Chart of the basis and cobasis for the near Comex gold futures contract and the US dollar bid priced in milligrams of goldChart of the basis and cobasis for the near Comex gold futures contract and the US dollar bid priced in milligrams of gold
This chart is also available for a duration of 18 months. Access to this additional chart is free to registered users of this website.

Max Chart of Gold Basis (near contract)

Chart of the basis and cobasis for the near Comex gold futures contract and the US dollar bid priced in milligrams of goldChart of the basis and cobasis for the near Comex gold futures contract and the US dollar bid priced in milligrams of gold

Gold Basis Continuous

This chart shows a continuous (splicing together of individual) basis and cobasis against the US dollar’s price in milligrams of gold.

The basis is a measure of the per annum return from carrying gold and is an indicator of abundance (the market would only offer a profit to arbitrageurs to stockpile gold if there was excess supply relative to demand). The cobasis is a measure of the per annum return from decarrying gold and is an indicator of scarity (the market would only offer a profit to arbitrageurs to sell gold from their stocks if there was a deficiency of supply relative to demand).

This chart is available in durations of 3 months, 3 years and from 1996 to today.

3 Month Chart of Gold Basis Continuous

Chart of the basis and cobasis for a continuous Comex gold future contract and the US dollar bid priced in milligrams of goldChart of the basis and cobasis for a continuous Comex gold future contract and the US dollar bid priced in milligrams of gold

3 Year Chart of Gold Basis Continuous

Chart of the basis and cobasis for a continuous Comex gold future contract and the US dollar bid priced in milligrams of goldChart of the basis and cobasis for a continuous Comex gold future contract and the US dollar bid priced in milligrams of gold

Max Chart of Gold Basis Continuous

Chart of the basis and cobasis for a continuous Comex gold future contract and the US dollar bid priced in milligrams of goldChart of the basis and cobasis for a continuous Comex gold future contract and the US dollar bid priced in milligrams of gold

Gold Carry/Decarry (near contract)

This chart shows the dollar per ounce carry and decarry that could be earned on the near gold futures contract.

One carries gold by buying gold at spot and selling a future contract, that is, Future Bid Price less Spot Ask Price. One decarries gold by selling gold at spot and buying a future contract, that is, Spot Bid Price less Future Ask Price.

This chart should be read in conjunction with the Gold Basis (near contract) chart which shows the carry/decarry in percentage terms.

Note: this chart switches to the next contract 14 days from the start of first notice day.

This chart is also available for a duration of 18 months. Access to our charts is free to registered users of this website.

3 Month Chart of Gold Basis in Dollars (near contract)

Chart of the gross US dollar profit earned on the gold near contract from carrying (buy spotChart of the gross US dollar profit earned on the gold near contract from carrying (buy spot

Max Chart of Gold Basis in Dollars (near contract)

Chart of the gross US dollar profit earned on the gold near contract from carrying (buy spotChart of the gross US dollar profit earned on the gold near contract from carrying (buy spot

Gold Roll Costs

This chart shows the cost of rolling gold from the near contract to the next contract if one has:

• a long position, that is, sell near, buy next (Near Contract Bid Price less Next Contract Ask Price)
• a short position, that is, buy near, sell next (Next Contract Bid Price less Near Contract Ask Price)

We define the next contract as the current contract as long as it is more than 14 days from the start of its first notice day, at which point we switch to the next closest contract. This chart is available in durations of 3 months, 3 years and from 1996 to today.

3 Month Chart of Gold Roll Costs

Chart of the cost in US dollars to roll from the Comex near gold futures contact to the next contractChart of the cost in US dollars to roll from the Comex near gold futures contact to the next contract

3 Year Chart of Gold Roll Costs

Chart of the cost in US dollars to roll from the Comex near gold futures contact to the next contractChart of the cost in US dollars to roll from the Comex near gold futures contact to the next contract

Max Chart of Gold Roll Costs

Chart of the cost in US dollars to roll from the Comex near gold futures contact to the next contractChart of the cost in US dollars to roll from the Comex near gold futures contact to the next contract

Gold Term Structure

This chart shows the basis and cobasis for all of gold’s futures contracts, positioned on the x-axis according to total calendar weeks to expiry. Similar to an interest rate yield curve for cash, this shows the per annum return for carrying or decarrying gold as the maturity increases.

Note: this chart excludes any contract which is within 14 days from the start of its first notice day or in its delivery month.

Chart of Gold Term Structure

Chart of the term structure out to 18 months for gold basis and gold cobasis for Comex gold futuresChart of the term structure out to 18 months for gold basis and gold cobasis for Comex gold futures

All charts are up to date as of Wed, August 16, 2023.

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