“Gold” has held great value and importance when it comes to the monetary gains from centuries ago, and as we can see from the investment trend for gold, it still holds true. But the question of why do people buy gold and whether it is a worthy investment as people claim it to be is food for thought. I encourage such questions because it is good to research whether investing in such an asset is the right choice for you.
Typically people invest in gold because of the money value, but it’s much more than that. Investors of all scales and even central banks hoard gold, so there must be a strong reason why gold has been and will always be considered valuable. In this article, we’ll dive deeper into is buying gold is a good investment and the reasons to buy gold in detail.
History of Gold
Gold has been a treasured article, and it has been a prized possession for centuries. It has held an important place in history and has played a massive role in civilization. Gold was a preferred jewelry option for the Egyptian, Incas, and Sumerians royalties in 2600-2500 BC, and gold jewelry for the Ancient Greeks and Bulgarians dates back to 4,600 BC.
As recorded in history, gold had an important role in the monetary system, from being used as currency, jewelry, statutes, and for different forms of tenets. With the introduction of paper money, precious metals were used less and less as currency, and by 1933, paper money had taken over as the primary exchange means.
Likewise to the past centuries, gold is still valued financially for its rarity and prolonged value. Though we don’t use it as a currency today, it does impact the US dollar. They have a multifaceted and complex relationship where economic, geopolitical, and investor trends impact the currency markets.
5 Reasons to Buy Gold
Gold has maintained its value throughout the ages, unlike other assets, which is why it is the metal investors rely on for uncertain times. More and more investors are adding gold holdings to secure their wealth and pass it down to future generations. If you’re contemplating is buying gold is a good investment, below are the 5 practical reasons to buy gold:
Inflation Hedge
Throughout the century, gold has been an inflation hedge as the price of gold increases with the cost of living. During the time of inflation, the stock market’s price plunged to extremely low, yet gold prices skyrocketed, making it the most valuable commodity. The store of value of gold is why people put money into gold to protect themselves when an economic crisis hits.
Diversification
Adding gold to your portfolio minimizes portfolio risk and volatility because it has a low correlation to other asset classes. This means that the price movement of gold is not correlated with the price fluctuation of other assets. So when assets such as stocks or bonds are declining in value, the value of gold is retained or even increases.
Geopolitical Tension
Gold is touted as a crisis commodity for its price rises even during geopolitical instability. It is touted as a crisis commodity because of the safety it provides people when their confidence in the government is taking a beating.
Increase in Demand
Gold holds significant importance in different parts of the world as it is multipurpose such as for jewelry, industrial use, collectibles, savings, and so on, so there is a steadfast demand for gold worldwide. Gold has become an in-demand asset for investors regarding physical metal and EFTs.
High Liquidity
Compared to other investment classes, gold has high liquidity. The demand for gold in every form, whether bullion bars, coins, grains, or anything else, is at an all-time high, and you’ll be able to sell your gold quickly in times of need. You can conveniently sell your gold to bullion dealers at a fair price. Thus, you can easily convert your gold into cash without much hassle.
In addition to the liquid asset aspects of gold, gold’s bid-ask spread is narrower than any other precious metal, such as palladium, diamond, or rhodium, making it a high-yielding investment.
Investment Vehicles
Investing in gold is a reliable and safe way to make money and get the best returns. By investing in a substantial amount of gold, you can secure profit in the long term if you’re confident with your investment method. There is various method you can invest in gold which is:
Physical Gold
Physical gold, also referred to as bullion, is the true essence of investing in gold because you’re the owner of actual gold products. Gold bars, coins, grains, and jewelry articles are some prevalent types of ways you can invest in physical gold. You can purchase physical gold from a physical or online gold dealer and store them safely.
Exchange-traded Funds
Putting your money on gold exchange-traded funds is investing in gold mutual funds where you own different gold-related assets, such as gold mining companies. You must know that you do not own the physical gold or individual stocks. EFTs are high in liquidity and an excellent way to diversify your assets.
Gold Mining Stocks
If investing in physical gold or EFTs doesn’t go with your investment goals, you can invest in gold mining companies by purchasing their shares. With gold mining stocks, the profits you generate are determined by the performance of the company and the market price of gold.
Risks of Investing in Gold
While gold has numerous reasons to purchase it, there are also some notable risks one should know before investing in gold.
Possibility of Long-Term Performance Lag
Gold has always outshined other assets regarding return on investment, but you can only sometimes rely on this trend and blindly invest in gold. If you’re looking to secure your investment for your retirement days and invest vast amounts in gold, if the gold stocks fall, it will limit your long-term gains.
Herd Instinct
People tend to follow the herd instinct when investing in assets such as gold. They see that investors are purchasing gold because of the returns it offers and blindly investing in gold without analyzing and judging. It’s never right to be lured by popular investment choices and jump into doing what successful investors do without assessing your financial situation.
Unfamiliarity With The Asset Class
Investing in precious metals such as gold, silver, and everything in between, if you lack the knowledge of how such asset classes work and their rules and regulations, you’ll be disoriented in the initial period of your investment. Investing in gold just thinking about the gains before understanding the legalities and the market impact will cause you a hard time when it comes to dealing with the risks, cash flow, and tax requirements.
Future Outlook
No one can make a solid prediction as to what the value of gold will be, whether it’ll rise or fall. According to financial experts, the value of gold winds up on the bullish side. The dollar’s strength and interest rates are key aspects affecting the value of gold for the coming year. While there is no guarantee of what the future holds for gold in terms of its market value, gold’s long-term stability and value to investors, even during unstable times, is why it’s deemed a safe haven.
Bottom Line
Gold has been considered a worthwhile investment for thousands of years ago owing to its rich history and security blanket for investors in dire times. Investing in gold is best for people looking to diversify their portfolios and balance the risk of down-moving stocks during inflation.
Like any investment, you should evaluate the pros and cons of buying gold and even seek financial consultation before investing. You should always purchase your gold with a reputable and ethical gold dealer; for that, you can always count on Bullion Trading LLC.
