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Investing in Gold: Advantages and Disadvantages

Think about your financial goals and investment plan before investing in gold.

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When faced with highly inflated prices and market uncertainty, investors may consider buy gold. Depending on your financial goals and preferences, gold can be a good diversifier in your portfolio. But not everyone wins from buying gold, especially when the investment is made out of panic rather than critical analysis.

When that happens, “other investors and institutions may have already done the same, which usually results in higher prices,” according to Gary Watts, VP, financial advisor at Wealth Enhancement Group. “The ideal time to build and allocate a model portfolio would be during less volatile and stressful times when emotion is not controlling decision-making. Sailors rig their boats before a storm.”

That said, gold can be a worthwhile investment for some investors. If you are wondering Now is the right time Get started by requesting a free information kit to learn more about this unique opportunity before you buy gold.

How to invest in gold

In some cases, investing in gold literally means buying gold coins or bars, although this is not the most liquid, safest or easiest way to invest.

“For the average person, owning a fund (eg, an ETF or mutual fund) that invests in gold is probably the easiest way,” explains Watts. “There are funds that invest only in gold, others that invest in combinations of metals, and others still that invest in mining operations and the like.”

Choosing between these options may depend on your goals, risk tolerance and current portfolio composition.

For example, some investors may prefer to stick to the stock market but want exposure to gold, and thus invest in equities of precious metal mining companies. These assets can also retain dividend paying appeal.

Other investors may want to Their portfolio is diversified For example, by buying a gold ETF, which is backed by physical gold but does not require investors to actually hold gold bars. Such gold purchases usually do not pay dividends but returns can come from price appreciation.

Learn more about gold investing by requesting a free information kit now or use the table below to explore some of the top gold investment options.

Advantages of investing in gold

In the right circumstances, buying gold can have several advantages.

A potential hedge against inflation: Inflation raises prices, reduces purchasing power. So, if you have cash, you are effectively losing money. Gold, on the other hand, is often considered a Hedge against inflation. If the dollar falls, the price of gold may rise. Not everyone agrees, or gold doesn’t always rise when inflation rises, but it can still be an investment reason. A potential hedge against tough economic conditions: Buying gold can help potential investors get through uncertain economic conditions, considerations price This may increase during the period. An analysis by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago compared gold prices with a University of Michigan survey of consumer expectations. Gold prices are positively correlated as the proportion of consumers with pessimistic expectations increases. This doesn’t mean that gold will always go up when the economy looks shaky, but it could potentially help those who plan ahead.Your portfolio is diversified: Some investors Buy gold or buy silver (or both) as a means Build a diversified portfolio. Rather than keeping all your money tied up in one asset class, spreading it across a variety of investments can help you better manage risk and return. “Gold – or other precious metals – in the right allocation, can make sense in a balanced portfolio, but of course the allocation always depends on other factors such as time horizon, investor experience, tolerance for volatility, cash flow needs, etc.,” Watts said.

If these are some of the benefits you are looking for then start investing in gold today.

Disadvantages of investing in gold

While gold can help add balance and security for some investors, there are also risks to be cautious about.

Potential performance lags over time: Although gold may outperform other assets over time, it may not keep pace with long-term price increases. If you are trying Save for retirementFor example, then putting too much money into gold can block long-term gains in other markets if gold stocks pull back. Investing based on fear: Another potential downside to gold is that there may be a tendency to gravitate towards this asset when markets get shaky. This can cause investors to make decisions based on fear rather than what is best for their long-term success. “I’ve seen the gold question come up in every single market downturn since I started in this profession,” Watts said. “Too often, retail investors or DIYers respond with emotional decisions and end up hurting themselves…panic and hope are not strategies.”Complications: If you are not already fully familiar with the gold and precious metals asset class, it may take time to get up to speed. Choosing this asset class over others like traditional stocks and bonds isn’t just a matter of picking which one you think will yield more. There are also considerations for risk, cash flow, taxes and more. So, adding this asset class can also add some complexity to your investment decisions that you need to be prepared for.

Bottom line

Buying gold may make sense for some investors, but it’s not a decision to take lightly. This has advantages for investors who want to diversify and protect their assets during downturns, but it can limit your earnings over time and cause you to perform differently than you expect. Take time to consider your options, and if you decide to invest in gold, make sure you know how it fits into your overall investment strategy.

Learn more about your investment options below.

MoneyWatch: Managing Your Money

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