Gold in April: Every April Since 1971
Gold has risen in 29 of 56 Aprils since 1971 (52%, against 55% for all months), with an average change of +0.7% and a median of +0.5%. Its best April was 1982 (+12.9%) and its worst 2004 (−8.3%). April ranks 9 of 12 by average change.
Gold in every April, 1971–2026
% change in the monthWhat happens in May after April
How often May rose after gold ended April higher or lower, compared with all months (55% rose).
After a higher April
InconclusiveAfter gold ends April higher, May has risen 62% of the time since 1971 (18 of 29), against 55% for all months, with an average change of +2.2% and a median of +0.9%: a difference, but too few cases to rule out chance.
After a lower April
InconclusiveAfter gold ends April lower, May has risen 41% of the time since 1971 (11 of 27), against 55% for all months, with an average change of −0.3% and a median of −0.7%: a difference, but too few cases to rule out chance.
"Momentum" or "rebound" only when the share differs from all months by at least 5 percentage points, with at least 20 cases, and by more than chance would explain (95% confidence); otherwise "inconclusive". With one month a year, most single-month differences are within chance. The same figures for every month together: gold seasonality.
Gold in April, Year by Year
Month-end close and the change in April, with May next to it.
| Year | Close, end of April | April | May after |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $4,630 | −0.4% | −0.8% |
| 2025 | $3,319 | +6.3% | −0.9% |
| 2024 | $2,303 | +3.9% | +0.9% |
| 2023 | $1,999 | +1.5% | −1.8% |
| 2022 | $1,912 | −1.9% | −3.6% |
| 2021 | $1,768 | +3.1% | +7.6% |
| 2020 | $1,684 | +6.4% | +4.0% |
| 2019 | $1,283 | −0.8% | +1.8% |
| 2018 | $1,316 | −0.5% | −1.2% |
| 2017 | $1,268 | +1.5% | +0.1% |
| 2016 | $1,291 | +4.4% | −5.9% |
| 2015 | $1,182 | −0.1% | +0.6% |
| 2014 | $1,296 | +0.9% | −3.9% |
| 2013 | $1,469 | −8.1% | −5.1% |
| 2012 | $1,651 | −0.7% | −5.6% |
| 2011 | $1,536 | +6.7% | +0.1% |
| 2010 | $1,179 | +5.7% | +2.4% |
| 2009 | $883 | −3.6% | +10.4% |
| 2008 | $871 | −6.7% | +1.7% |
| 2007 | $677 | +2.3% | −2.6% |
| 2006 | $644 | +10.7% | +1.4% |
| 2005 | $436 | +1.9% | −4.9% |
| 2004 | $389 | −8.3% | +1.2% |
| 2003 | $337 | +0.6% | +7.3% |
| 2002 | $308 | +2.3% | +6.0% |
| 2001 | $263 | +2.1% | +1.7% |
| 2000 | $275 | −0.6% | −1.0% |
| 1999 | $287 | +2.6% | −6.3% |
| 1998 | $311 | +3.2% | −5.5% |
| 1997 | $340 | −2.3% | +1.6% |
| 1996 | $391 | −1.3% | −0.2% |
| 1995 | $390 | −0.6% | −1.4% |
| 1994 | $376 | −3.3% | +3.0% |
| 1993 | $354 | +4.9% | +6.5% |
| 1992 | $336 | −1.6% | +0.3% |
| 1991 | $358 | +0.6% | +0.7% |
| 1990 | $368 | −0.2% | −1.3% |
| 1989 | $378 | −1.5% | −4.2% |
| 1988 | $449 | −1.7% | +1.4% |
| 1987 | $453 | +7.7% | −0.5% |
| 1986 | $346 | +0.5% | −0.7% |
| 1985 | $321 | −2.4% | −2.3% |
| 1984 | $376 | −3.3% | +2.2% |
| 1983 | $429 | +3.5% | +1.9% |
| 1982 | $361 | +12.9% | −10.0% |
| 1981 | $483 | −6.0% | −0.7% |
| 1980 | $518 | +4.8% | +3.4% |
| 1979 | $245 | +2.2% | +11.9% |
| 1978 | $171 | −5.9% | +7.8% |
| 1977 | $147 | −1.1% | −2.9% |
| 1976 | $128 | −0.9% | −2.3% |
| 1975 | $167 | −5.8% | 0.0% |
| 1974 | $169 | −2.2% | −7.4% |
| 1973 | $90.25 | +1.1% | +27.1% |
| 1972 | $49.60 | +2.5% | +19.9% |
| 1971 | $39.70 | +2.1% | +2.9% |
In the calendar in April
- US tax day and the IRA contribution deadline (about 15 April): gold on every tax day
- The UK tax year and ISA allowance end on 5 April: gold at every tax-year end
- Akshaya Tritiya falls in April or May.
Events that fall in the month; they do not explain any single year's move.
Gold by Month
Gold in April: FAQ
Is April a good month for gold?
Gold has risen in 52% of Aprils since 1971 (29 of 56), against 55% for all months, with an average change of +0.7%. April ranks 9 of 12 months by average change. In the last 10 years it rose 6 times. Seasonal patterns are not a reliable guide to any single year.
What was gold's best April?
1982, when gold rose 12.9%. The worst was 2004 (−8.3%).
What happens to gold in May after a higher April?
After gold ends April higher, May has risen 62% of the time since 1971 (18 of 29), against 55% for all months, with an average change of +2.2% and a median of +0.9%: a difference, but too few cases to rule out chance.
What happens to gold in May after a lower April?
After gold ends April lower, May has risen 41% of the time since 1971 (11 of 27), against 55% for all months, with an average change of −0.3% and a median of −0.7%: a difference, but too few cases to rule out chance.
History, not advice: past monthly patterns do not predict any single month. Data to 26 October 2026.
Cite this page
For essays, articles and research. Prices on this page update daily, so the citations include today's date as the date you accessed it.
@misc{corgano2026goldinaprilevery, author = {{Corgano}}, title = {Gold in April: every April since 1971}, howpublished = {\url{https://goldprice.corgano.com/gold-in-april}}, year = {2026}, note = {Corgano Gold Price, accessed 2026-10-27}}