Investing in Physical Gold vs. Gold Funds
Gold is the most valuable asset and commodity on the planet. It’s been used as a currency standard since Biblical times. Even today, gold in all of its forms is becoming increasingly popular, especially as a hedge against inflation. Physical gold and gold funds are in high demand because they are the only asset classes that have consistently outperformed longterm inflation.
Physical gold vs. gold funds each have their own set of advantages and disadvantages. As a result, before investing in one form of gold, investors should consider their needs and objectives.
Gold Funds Investment
Gold funds are investment vehicles that invest in gold-related assets. Mutual funds and exchange-traded funds are typical examples of such investments.
Advantages of Investing in Gold Funds
Investors can accumulate gold through gold funds over a set period. It can be planned for future needs as one can purchase it in small quantities.
With gold investing funds, there are usually no entry or exit loads. Brokerage and fund management fees are the only costs associated with gold Funds. In addition, gold investment funds can be bought and sold on the stock exchange during market hours.
Disadvantages of Investing in Gold Funds
The most obvious disadvantage of a gold fund vs. holding physical gold is that you are not literally or physically in possession of your gold. It feels more like numbers on a screen or paper statement, although some gold funds are backed by bullion or gold bars. Is it really your gold if it is not in your possession?
Another disadvantage of gold Funds is their lack of liquidity; some funds are illiquid, limiting their buying and selling options. As a result, investors should keep this in mind when investing in gold funds and stick to liquid funds.
Although a gold funds manager will try to match their fund’s investment performance to the index it tracks, this may be more difficult. For various reasons, gold funds may deviate from their intended benchmarks. As a result, its performance may differ from the index’s performance.
Investing in Physical Gold
Investing in physical gold is the most straightforward and secure form of investment. You can do so by investing in gold coins or putting your money towards gold-heavy jewelry items, such as a gold chain or gold cross necklace, among various items. It is an intelligent solution for anyone wishing to diversify their assets and get extra security, while having actual gold coins, bars or bullion in their possession.
Advantages of Investing in Physical Gold
Gold investments help protect assets from inflation and currency depreciation. In addition, physical gold is a private asset in an increasingly cashless and digitally trackable world.
Physical gold retains its worth even in a market or economic collapse. It protects the investor and provides financial protection in unforeseeable political and social events.
Gold also has a historically proven store of value, making it easy to exchange; it is also a tangible store of value that cannot be hacked or easily stolen.
Bartering Gold Coins
Most people who invest in physical gold, usually do so through gold coins, such as the American Eagle Gold Coin, Canadian Maple, Swiss bars or pneumatic, speciality coins. Since gold coins come in various denominations, they can also be used for bartering during economic upheavals, “end of the world” scenarios, or situations in which “the system” goes down for a period of time. While some argue that necessities like dried foods, first aid kits, ammunition, alcohol, and survival-centric items will be in higher demand in the worst case scenarios, there will always be people who will trade such items for gold coins or fine jewelry, because of their intrinsic monetary value.
Gold coins can be purchased in smaller denominations for this very purpose. For example, the American eagle coin comes in smaller 1/10 ounce, 1/4 ounce and 1/2 ounce denominations, in addition to the full 1 ounce American eagle coin. The same is true for other gold coins.
Disadvantages of Investing in Physical Gold
The storage of physical gold is the first issue with physical gold investing. To keep it safe, one should invest in expensive safes, which raises total costs.
Investments, according to many financial experts, should generate income. However, gold does not fit this criterion because it does not produce anything when owned.
Is It Time to Invest in Gold?
Is now the time to invest in physical gold? One way to do so is to purchase gold jewelry for utility and aesthetic reasons in addition to gold as an investment option or to get a gold bezel for your existing gold coins. But Physical Gold and Gold Funds each have their advantages and disadvantages.
While physical gold can be more lucrative in some situations and be more transparent, physical gold is generally recognized as the safer and less risky option with actual utility and intrinsic value, since you actually own the physical asset. As compared to other gold investments, it has no counter-party risk, other than simply having the means of securing it and keeping it safe. In addition, physical gold is one of the few assets that does not require a bank or government to back it. As a result, we can say that it is preferable to keep and invest in physical gold over gold funds. You, truly, are the keepsake of your own investment.
With gold prices on the rise as the world sees bouts of instability, is now the time to invest in gold?