Gold is often referred to as a “safe haven” investment, reflecting its tendency to rise in times of economic uncertainty. While there is no shortage of “gold bugs” that buy and hold the metal for extended periods of time, there are countless investors who trade gold quite actively. Just as signs of weakness in the global equity markets or unexpected negative developments can send gold prices climbing, good news or bullish sentiment on Wall Street can send gold prices plummeting. Fortunately for investors, just as there are a number of ETFs offering the ability to establish a long position in gold, there are several funds that offer short exposure as well. [click to continue…]
The Gold Rush of 2009 likely hasn’t come as a complete surprise to too many investors. After all, gold has been proven time and time again to be a “safe haven” investment that rises during uncertain economic times (such as the last two years), and questions about the dollar’s future as the world’s reserve currency (along with other factors placing downward pressure on the greenback) have led many to reconsider their strategic holdings. But the length and degree of the run-up in gold prices certainly caught a number of investors (myself included) off guard. Brett Arends poses a question I would have laughed at two years ago, but now take quite seriously: is it realistic to think gold could really go to $3,000?
Some gold bugs think it’s a distinct possibility. [click to continue…]
