Gold rising value benefits? Demand for gold has also grown among investors. Many are beginning to see commodities, particularly gold, as an investment class into which funds should be allocated. In fact, SPDR Gold Trust, became one of the largest ETFs in the U.S., as well as one of the world’s largest holders of gold bullion in 2008, only four years after its inception.
“As gold keeps breaking new records…the fundamental factors behind the trend remain clear: increased worries about the solidness of U.S. public finances; the lack of any serious government plan to resolve long standing issues related to the future of the social security system; eroding credibility of the U.S. motto about a strong dollar; the general weakness in the fundamentals of the global economy” [all of which make the] purchasing of gold…a store of value that thrives when uncertainty, insecurity, and fear rule the global economy. Furthermore, when we recall the never ending speculations about the U.S. dollar’s demise, it is only natural that the metal will find attention regardless of the price tag, until a bubble develops [but] we are apparently very far from that turning point.
Storing physical gold has the same security threats as any cash in our house. It is equally vulnerable to theft as anything else in our house and thus, the investors have to be more cautious for their assets when investing into gold. although going for some other form of gold investment like gold ETF or fund of fund is a better way to go but this way too, you are not totally secure, you are vulnerable to internet security attacks but the difference here is that this security is threat is equally likely to happen to anyone or even everyone and even other investments too like mutual funds etc.
Even those investors focused primarily on growth rather than steady income can benefit from choosing gold stocks that demonstrate historically strong dividend performance. Stocks that pay dividends tend to show higher gains when the sector is rising and fare better – on average, nearly twice as well – than non-dividend-paying stocks when the overall sector is in a downturn. The mining sector, which includes companies that extract gold, can experience high volatility. When evaluating the dividend performance of gold stocks, consider the company’s performance over time in regard to dividends. Factors such as the company’s history of paying dividends and the sustainability of its dividend payout ratio are two key elements to examine in the company’s balance sheet and other financial statements.
Gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds are accounts that purchase gold on an investor’s behalf. The shares that make up these funds each represent a fixed amount of gold and can be bought and sold like stocks. This is a popular opportunity as ETFs and mutual funds allow investors to work with gold, without dealing with the costs of physical ownership (like security or gold insurance). There are fees associated with buying and selling gold through ETFs or mutual funds, but they are often much lower when compared to the management of other assets. Note that ETFs and mutual funds dealing with gold often invest in other commodities as well, meaning you will rarely find a firm that deals strictly with gold. This can be beneficial if your goal is to diversify, though it may require learning about other markets as well as gold. Be prepared to research different funds when considering ETFs or mutual funds for your gold investment. See extra details at investing in gold.
Goldbugs have often encouraged investors to own the precious metal as part of a diversified long term investment portfolio. Gold is seen as a hedge against inflation and a store of value through thick and through thin. Holding gold, however, comes with unique costs and risks, and the data show that historically gold has disappointed on several of its purported virtues. In order to fully understand the purpose of gold, one must look back to the start of the gold market. While gold’s history began in 2000 B.C, when the ancient Egyptians started forming jewelry, it wasn’t until 560 B.C. that gold started to act as a currency. At that time, merchants wanted to create a standardized and easily transferable form of money that would simplify trade. The creation of a gold coin stamped with a seal seemed to be the answer, as gold jewelry was already widely accepted and recognized throughout various corners of the earth.
