Is it smart to invest in gold?
Key Takeaways: Investing in gold is pure speculation as there are no cash flows backing it nor does it earn a yield. Although it may be tempting, it is usually never a good idea to sell more than 10% of your portfolio to invest in gold.
Gold offers a hedge against inflation
Gold is a unique safe haven asset because it acts as an inflation hedge. This is due to gold's historical tendency to climb in value when the dollar falls. So, the precious metal may help you maintain the value in your portfolio during periods of high inflation.
Gold can be an income-producing investment, just not one that most investors can benefit from short term. Instead, the precious metal price tends to rise over months, years and decades. But while that can offer advantages long term, there are some more immediate benefits investors can take advantage of now.
The bottom line. Waiting for an investment price to change favorably is always risky but is arguably more so for alternative assets like gold. And although the price of the precious metal has risen significantly in the past few years, it still may make sense to buy now.
What will gold be worth in 5 years? Two Jakarta-based commodity analysts forecast that the price of gold could reach as high as $3,000 per ounce in the next five years. While they remain bullish, they cautioned that many factors could affect the price of gold within this timeframe.
Is it better to hold gold or cash? For short-term needs, cash is better due to its unmatched liquidity. For long-term buy-and-hold investments, gold is preferable to protect against inflation and provide portfolio diversification.
The price of gold tends to rise over the long run
As we've already mentioned, savings accounts rarely pay more than 5%. The most common interest rates are between 0.5% and 3% per year, while the price of gold has been steadily rising for 20 years, reaching impressive peaks in times of crisis.
| Period | Average annualised return | Total return |
|---|---|---|
| Last 5 years | 10.4% | 63.7% |
| Last 10 years | 7.0% | 97.0% |
| Last 20 years | 9.3% | 493.5% |
| Last 40 years | 3.5% | 298.2% |
But investment in gold can also come with storage costs (in the case of tangible assets like gold coins and bars), capital gains taxes and a potential performance lag in your portfolio.
| Gold Spot Prices | Today | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Gold Prices Per Ounce | $2,373.00 | -10.00 |
| Gold Prices Per Gram | $76.29 | -0.32 |
| Gold Prices Per Kilo | $76,291.95 | -321.50 |
Can you exchange money for gold at a bank?
Central banks are among the largest buyers of gold, and yet it's very rare for customers to be able to buy gold at banks. In fact, it's unusual for typical banks to sell any precious metals. And even when they do, their selection is limited.
There are several reasons to consider investing in 1-ounce gold coins. These coins are often collectible and have a relatively low cost of entry. Moreover, the potential tax and diversification benefits that come with gold coin investments can be hard to ignore.
Most experts recommend limiting your gold investment to 10% or less of your overall portfolio. The range between 1% and 10%, however, will often vary based on your age and overall investor profile.
If you want an investment that provides an income stream, stocks are likely the better choice. Note: You might be able to earn dividends from gold stocks or gold ETFs, but these are riskier than investing in physical gold like bars and coins.
Fluctuations in financial markets can also cause volatility in the price of gold. However, because so many investors purchase gold as a safe-haven asset, its value remains relatively constant. Long-term investments in the precious metal are unlikely to experience losses.
Global silver demand is forecast to reach 1.2 billion ounces in 2024, which would mark the second-highest level on record, the Silver Institute said in a recent report.
Key takeaways
Gold prices are expected to dip in the near term before climbing to new highs later in the year, with a forecasted peak of $2,300/oz in 2025.
As of December 19, 2023, the spot price of gold was $2,024 per ounce. Considering an annual growth rate of 11.2%, an ounce of gold could be worth about $2,251 in one year. In five years, an ounce of gold could be worth about $3,441, provided that the value continues to grow at a rate of 11.2%.
| USD | GOLD |
|---|---|
| 100 USD | 1.39 GOLD |
| 500 USD | 6.93 GOLD |
| 1,000 USD | 13.86 GOLD |
| 10,000 USD | 138.63 GOLD |
Gold is not an asset that is prone to big price swings, or high volatility, but it is known to almost constantly be growing as its uses and market desire keep growing. Forecasting Gold prices for the next decade can often lead to positive gains over this long period of time.
When should I cash out gold?
If you're considering selling your gold, the best time to sell is when gold prices are trending upwards. Prices are at an all-time high, so if you're thinking about selling your old gold jewelry, gold coins, or any gold, now is a good time to get the most cash for your gold.
How Do Beginners Buy Gold? Mutual funds and ETFs are probably the smartest options for beginners. Each share of these securities represents a fixed amount of gold, and you can easily buy or sell these funds in your brokerage account or retirement account.
Money and Gold. Gold has always played an important role in the international monetary system. Gold coins were first struck on the order of King Croesus of Lydia (an area that is now part of Turkey), around 550 BC. They circulated as currency in many countries before the introduction of paper money.
| S.No. | Bank | Interest Rates |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | State Bank of India | 7.50% p.a. onwards |
| 2. | HDFC Bank | 7.60% to 17.05% p.a. |
| 3. | Kotak Mahindra Bank | 8.00% to 17.00% p.a. |
| 4. | Central Bank of India | 8.10% to 8.20% p.a |
Bank the smart way with a Gold Cheque Account. Smart people know what they pay. For R125 per month, the Gold Value Bundle will meet more than your banking needs, at a price that suits your pocket.
