Is gold the safe investment commodity choice for 2021? : Speaking of gold, it is easily the oldest form of currency in use on earth. It was used by our ancestors centuries ago and is still used today, its mention can even be found in the epics of Hindu mythology which highlights the position that gold holds in the Indian and especially Hindu culture. It is considered as a carrier of good luck and thus is gifted to the new brides and other important milestones of life as well. Therefore, one of the tools which are popular for this purpose is the financial investment which allows a person to multiply his savings by investing it into one of the multiple options available like mutual funds, real estate, gold etc.

That said, gold trounced the S&P 500 in the 10-year period from November 2002 to October 2012, with a total price appreciation of 441.5%, or 18.4% annually. The S&P 500, on the other hand, appreciated by 58% over this period. The point here is that gold is not always a good investment. The best time to invest in almost any asset is when there is negative sentiment and the asset is inexpensive, providing substantial upside potential when it returns to favor, as indicated above.

“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.

The reasons for gold’s importance in the modern economy centers on the fact that it has successfully preserved wealth throughout thousands of generations. The same, however, cannot be said about paper-denominated currencies. To put things into perspective, consider the following example: In the early 1970s, one ounce of gold equaled $35.8? Let’s say that at that time, you had a choice of either holding an ounce of gold or simply keeping the $35. They would both buy you the same things, like a brand new business suit or fancy bicycle. However, if you had an ounce of gold today and converted it for today’s prices, it would still be enough to buy a brand new suit, but the same cannot be said for the $35. In short, you would have lost a substantial amount of your wealth if you decided to hold the $35 as opposed to the one ounce of gold because the value of gold has increased, while the value of a dollar has been eroded by inflation. Discover more info on investing in gold.

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.

Streaming and royalty companies are another way to invest in gold through stocks. These companies will provide cash upfront to mining companies for the right to buy gold (or other commodities) in the future. Think of them as financing companies who receive their profits in gold. This form of investment also requires inventors to learn more about the risks of gold mining and the companies associated. The level of research required to successfully invest in streaming and royalty companies can be a barrier to entry for some. With so many options to choose from, it can be overwhelming to consider how to start investing in gold. Beginner investors should take stock of their initial capital, desired returns, and preferred level of risk before getting started. Most gold does not require an active time commitment to be profitable, but some options do require more upfront research than others to get started (such as futures or stocks). Consider how much prep work you are willing and able to do before getting started, remembering that you should also mind your due diligence when making an investment decision.