Precious metals investing is an ideal way to profit from the natural tendency of these unique commodities to move to higher prices over time. The most commonly traded products, like gold, sliver, platinum, and palladium, have been stores of value since the beginning of time, and because there is a limited supply on the planet, it’s quite natural that prices will continue to rise into the future. Several different methods can be used by an individual investor to buy or sell the commodities also makes the approach appealing and helps to address the risks that are associated with keeping valuables in a vulnerable location.
Unlike many other forms of investing, in which a person puts their money into a company that receives profits from the production of goods or the distribution of services, precious metals investing is often based on the actions and reactions of the entire marketplace. A wide variety of different factors can influence the success or failure of any participant in the market, and trading is often based on factors that are quite irrational. Currently, global uncertainties in Syria and the surrounding region have led to minor drops in the price of gold and silver, and investors can even use these features of the marketplace to their benefit when they purchase some of the different types of futures that are available.
When buying physical metals to keep at home or in a safe deposit box in a local bank, it is imperative to find a reputable dealer who can provide the stated amount of a material in a pure format. While many different types of precious metals are available for sale, two cost-effective options of investing in this manner include bullion and coins that are minted at a known source and stamped for purity. Working with a reliable firm is essential when buying precious metals, with detailed information along with wide selection of precious metals that are issued by some of the world’s leading governments and minted at certified locations.
Investing in Gold
Gold offers plenty of opportunities for investors to realize a high return on their initial capital outlay, and the commodity has experienced continual price gains for the past several years. While the current value of gold, in the $1300 per ounce range, has lost a little from its high of $2000 only a few months ago, many investors are still making money with the precious metal. Gold is not only an investor commodity, but it also serves a host of vital industrial purposes that help to provide the demand that is essential for price increases. Investors have plenty of different ways to buy the commodity, and they can invest in bullion, buy shares of a mining company’s stock, or even find jewelry that contains a known percentage of the precious metal. Interesting to note about the gold market is that there is an agreement in place that prevents the countries that hold the most gold from selling their shares to third world and developing nations. This feature of the current market also helps to keep prices high and ensure that there is a limited amount of the product in circulation for buyers.
Gold’s Potential For Future Growth
While many people think that the astronomical growth in gold’s price over the past few years is related to uncertainty in other markets, the precious metal has been popular among investors and traders for thousands of years. Continued riskiness in other commodity markets is also expected to keep prices high, and the sheer fact that there is a limited amount of gold in the world helps to sustain its value. Additional concerns also plague today’s global fiat currencies, and wise investors look to keep a portion of their total portfolio in something that is secure and offers lasting returns. Gold is an ideal choice for precious metal investors because it is available in a wide variety of different formats.
Buying Gold Bullion and Coins
Many of the world’s leading governments mint commemorative coins and numismatic items that contain a known percentage of .999 gold. Often these coins are available for the current market price of gold plus a small percentage that is needed to pay for minting costs. As gold continues to increase in value, buyers can make sure that they benefit from the increase and add to their total wealth. The coins can even be kept at home, and many people prefer to hold the physically appealing precious metal and enjoy its alluring warmth while watching its value steadily increase. Gold can also be purchased and stored in a secure location, at a trusted bank, so investors never need to worry about the possibly of theft or burglary.
Investing in a Mining Company’s Future
Purchasing shares in a mining company is another way for buyers to benefit from precious metals investing. Several firms that are engaged in producing gold, silver, platinum, and palladium offer public stock, and they also own properties that contain a known amount of the precious metals. The companies regularly produce a certain amount of the materials for the general markets on an annual basis, and this can easily translate into increased profits as the price of the commodities continues to rise with growing global uncertainty over the daily fluctuations in international financial markets.
Silver
Silver is another popular way to invest in precious metals, and the commodity is invaluable in a wide variety of different settings. This helps to boost the demand for the material and ensures that prices will continue to rise into the future. In the medical field, silver has long been known as a powerful anti-biotic, and it is commonly used as an ingredient in a range of different treatments. Because the precious metal makes stunning jewelry, it also commands a higher price. Many people think that since the current price of silver is relatively low to that of other precious metals, it offers superior chances for future growth and is an outstanding way to receive the highest return on an investment.
Palladium
Palladium offers an excellent opportunity for anyone to profit from precious metals investing, and the low-entry price is one of the chief features that makes the material promising to the markets. Because most palladium is mined in Russia and the government has been known to rely on manipulative tactics to further its own economic gain, investors have the potential to turn a minor purchase into an appreciable return. While the Russian government is perhaps more stable today than it has been over the past several years, there is still quite a bit of concern by international analysts over the possibilities of mining interests in the region exploiting the potential that is found in the industry.
Platinum
Purchasing platinum is an outstanding option, and the precious metal offers plenty of opportunities for investors to increase their portfolio. In fact, even President Obama has discussed the possibility of minting a $1 trillion coin that would be made from pure platinum. The minting of such a coin would have tremendous impacts on the total costs for platinum, and it would help to propel prices higher while creating more demand for the valuable material.
In addition to serving investors and consumers as a store of value, platinum plays a number of important roles in industries, and this demand is sure to keep prices high into the future. There is also an incredibly limited amount of platinum in the world, and only a few tons are produced by mining companies on an annual basis. Estimates suggest that nearly 50 percent of the mined platinum is used to prevent the cumulative and environmentally polluting effects that are associated with automobiles and the internal combustion engine. Platinum compounds are also essential in a variety of anti-cancer drugs and are often used to kill the fast-dividing cells that are associated with the health issue.
Precious metals investing allows anyone to receive the maximum return on their initial investment, and several features about the unique market make it attractive in times of unrest and uncertainty.
Site References:
http://www.economist.com/news/finance-and-economics/21569413-crackpot-idea-circumvent-americas-debt-ceiling-gains-currency-toss-coin
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/12/obama-platinum-coin_n_2458379.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palladium
http://www.gold.org/investment/why_and_how/faqs/#q024