Gold is a versatile and unique commodity that is always in high demand. As it represents both an investment asset and a consumer good, gold tends to maintain its value and even rise during times of financial uncertainty. Gold plays an incredibly important part in a well-adjusted investor portfolio and acts as a multifaceted hedge that outperforms many other major assets, possibly due to its high liquidity, scarcity, and future potential. If you’re looking to invest in gold as well, here are some trends to keep an eye on:
Gold stock options
The value of gold stocks could reflect physical gold prices, but the gold stock market can be as uncertain as any other. There have been times when the stocks rise and physical gold falls, or on the other hand when the price of gold rises and stocks pull back, thus presenting an efficient hedge in an unpredictable market.
What’s more, a number of gold mining companies often pay considerable dividends, in turn incentivizing investors to select gold stocks instead of physical gold. Gold mining stocks are another viable investment option for many individuals. Even though they are thought to be a riskier choice, they could yield quite high returns for many investors.
Physical gold
Physical gold or gold bullion has been among the most popular investment options for centuries, most commonly coming in the form of gold wafers, bars, etc. While gold bullion used to only be available from certain banks and precious metal dealers, you now have the option of buying physical gold online, making it readily available and attainable for most consumers.
And if you live in certain countries around the globe like Canada, the US, and the UK, you might even be exempt from some taxes when purchasing investment gold, as long as it has a purity of 99.5% in most cases. However, one drawback of gold bullion might be the fact that you need a particularly safe and secure storage space to prevent the risk of theft.
Gold products
As there are a number of different products you can choose from, such as gold jewelry and gold coins, gold investment products are generally considered to be a more accessible option to a wider audience. Although the value of many commodities can fluctuate as a result of political and economic uncertainties, gold is among the less volatile options that rarely depreciate, thus making gold products a great investment.
What’s more, gold investment products can easily be sold at any time, even for a profit. As long as you find trusted and reputable gold buyers to partner with, you will have great choice and flexibility when trading. Offering appraisals, valuations, as well as agreeable prices, such a respected buyer will also provide a quick, efficient, and convenient service overall.
Gold ETFs
Physical gold often needs insurance and storage space, while gold stocks and mining companies could be speculative investments that are not suitable for the risk-averse. Gold ETFs are another good way to invest in gold that might be appealing to a larger number of investors. Exchange-traded funds or ETFs are a more flexible solution that can easily be bought online.
Just like gold bullion, gold EFTs also offer high liquidity, and could be traded in the stock market as well. Any investor can easily engage in the gold stock market without spending on smaller denominations, an option that can be much more cost-effective than buying physical gold.
Gold derivatives
Gold derivatives represent all other investment products that derive their prices from the value of gold. Gold futures, for instance, represent financial contracts obliging buyers to sell or purchase gold at a future price and date that was determined in advance, and offer the possibility of hedging your business according to future prices.
Gold options, on the other hand, provide smaller cash outlays and increased flexibility in terms of the hedge price. When purchasing options, you are only required to pay for the option premium, being a small percent of the notional value to be hedged. While both might be good options, these gold derivatives also involve a learning curve and could require more seasoned investors for success.
From physical gold to stock opportunities and gold derivatives, there are a number of investment trends and products to choose from. Depending on your financial goals, make sure to do thorough research in advance and consider the amount of risk related to each investment option.
