41. Other central banks in Europe also sold gold in the past year in a shift to assets with better returns. 42. Other countries, including Canada, Austria and South Africa, sold gold in the past five years. 43. Other nations, including Switzerland, also have plans to sell gold. 44. Other central banks sold gold in the past year or are considering sales, such as Belgium and the Netherlands. 45. Other countries, including Canada, Austria and South Africa also sold gold in the past five years. 46. Other central banks in Europe also sold gold in the past year, in a shift to assets with better returns. 47. Portuguese officials recently disclosed that neutral Portugal acquired stolen gold by selling tungsten to the Germans, and later secretly sold the gold in Asia. 48. Prices plummeted, in part, on concern that more central banks would seek to sell gold and invest in assets that provide returns, such as government bonds. 49. Some traders said high interest rates could encourage investors to sell gold since high rates can increase the cost of holding bullion and boost returns on cash deposits. 50. The Australian sale followed similar moves by countries such as the Netherlands and Belgium and raised concern that other central banks would sell gold. |