Is gold the safe investment return option in 2021? : In general, gold is seen as a diversifying investment. It is clear that gold has historically served as an investment that can add a diversifying component to your portfolio, regardless of whether you are worried about inflation, a declining U.S. dollar, or even protecting your wealth. If your focus is simply diversification, gold is not correlated to stocks, bonds, and real estate. Gold stocks are typically more appealing to growth investors than to income investors. Gold stocks generally rise and fall with the price of gold, but there are well-managed mining companies that are profitable even when the price of gold is down. Increases in the price of gold are often magnified in gold stock prices. A relatively small increase in the price of gold can lead to significant gains in the best gold stocks and owners of gold stocks typically obtain a much higher return on investment (ROI) than owners of physical gold.

Investing in gold mining stocks is similar to investing in the stock market and the difference is just that gold mining stocks are related to the companies that are attached to gold mining. The performance of these stocks is more or less governed by the gold rates while other factors that should be considered are production cost, effective management, hedging activities etc. Investing in physical gold is the oldest method of making the gold investment. Whenever you buy gold, it is basically a gold investment. But, since we are speaking strictly on investment grounds, then there are two ways by which you can invest in gold i.e. Jewellery and Bars and coins.

von Gruyerz, Managing Director of Zurich Switzerland based Matterhorn Asset Management and founder of precious metals investment and storage company GoldSwitzerland.com, commented in an interview with CNBC Europe’s Squawk Box recently that the nominal high of $850 per ounce gold price, when adjusted for “real inflation” as per shadowstats.com, is equivalent to approximately $7,200 in today’s prices. Accordingly, “gold could easily go up 6 times from the current price of $1,220 and still be within normal parameters.” He went on to say that at current prices, “There will be nowhere near sufficient gold to satisfy demand.” As a result, his firm is expecting the gold price ascent to be “relentless during the remainder of 2010, with very few major corrections but with high volatility. Moves of $100 in one day could easily happen. So gold is likely to make a top in the next few years between $5,000 and $10,000.”

Even though gold no longer backs the U.S. dollar (or other worldwide currencies for that matter), it still carries importance in today’s society. It is still important to the global economy. To validate this point, there is no need to look further than the balance sheets of central banks and other financial organizations, such as the International Monetary Fund. Presently, these organizations are responsible for holding almost one-fifth of the world’s supply of above-ground gold.6? In addition, several central banks have added to their present gold reserves, reflecting concerns about the long-term global economy. See more information at return for investment.

Much of the supply of gold in the market since the 1990s has come from sales of gold bullion from the vaults of global central banks. This selling by global central banks slowed greatly in 2008. At the same time, production of new gold from mines had been declining since 2000. According to BullionVault.com, annual gold-mining output fell from 2,573 metric tons in 2000 to 2,444 metric tons in 2007 (however, according to Goldsheetlinks.com, gold saw a rebound in production with output hitting nearly 2,700 metric tons in 2011.) It can take from five to 10 years to bring a new mine into production. As a general rule, reduction in the supply of gold increases gold prices.

Many new investors shy away from gold, as it doesn’t generate consistent cash flow in the way real estate or stocks might. What many people don’t know is that gold is actually highly liquid; meaning, it can be bought and sold relatively quickly due to the high demand. When it comes to other alternative investments, like collectibles or rare art, this benefit can make gold a highly attractive opportunity. Gold bullion refers to any form of pure gold, with the most common example being gold bars. Gold bars must be certified for weight and purity, and will typically have a serial number attached for security reasons. Gold bars can vary in size, and it doesn’t take much to be considered valuable. There are a few drawbacks to purchasing gold bullion, as you will typically want a secure location and insurance to secure the investment. Additionally, gold bullion can be a difficult asset to buy and sell as you have to identify buyers ready to purchase in whatever sized bar you have the asset in. That being said, many investors find this method to be a highly rewarding way to purchase gold.