Skip to main content

Gold: What Can Trigger the Inevitable?

A stronger dollar or rising interest rates could derail the epic yellow metal mania

 

Before you sell that last piece of jewellery, keep in mind that the gold price will not go up indefinitely. There are number of reasons why it might crash.
If you're over weighted in gold or commodities, the warning is the same: A stronger dollar, strengthening US economy or rising interest rates could derail the epic yellow metal mania. Who knows? Congress could even reach an agreement to clear up its balance sheet and pay down its debt.


What are the chances of any of this happening? It's beyond the limits of my minuscule, clouded crystal ball, which is about the size of a pin-head.

 

Nevertheless, you should prepare your portfolio for any number of eventualities, which can be easily accomplished with exchange-traded funds. Gold is troublesome in my book because it really isn't an investment. It's a reserve currency of sorts that's heavily traded by institutional investors. It doesn't pay any dividends or interest and is bought in times of widespread fear.


The savviest traders buy gold as a hedge against the dollar. In the past few years, it's also been a bulwark against the Euro as well, which has been bruised by sovereign debt woes in Greece, Ireland and Portugal. Is the Euro financial fizzle over? I don't think so, but it's still not a reason to load up on gold. The clearest threat to gold's reign as the reserve currency of nervous Nellies is a possible rebound of the dollar. In a speculative portfolio, you can go long on worldwide stocks through a fund like the Vanguard Total World Stock Index ETF, own gold through the SPDR fund and go either way on the dollar.


Stick to your long-term goals. Only professional traders who have the discipline to make quick trades will get out and make a profit. If you try to time or short any vehicle, you'll be stuck holding the bag. If you need income, forget about the rest of the world and find the safest investments at the lowest possible cost. Your second goal would be to protect yourself against loss of purchasing power
Before you pawn your wedding ring, keep in mind that in real times of crisis the metal won't replace food or water. As Voltaire reminded us in 'Candide', it would be better to tend to our gardens.

 

— John F Wasik/Reuters

 
 

-----------------------------------------------------------------

 

Also, know how to buy mutual funds online:

 

1) DSP BlackRock Mutual Funds:

http://prajnacapital.blogspot.com/2011/05/buying-dsp-blackrock-mutual-funds.html

 

2) Reliance Mutual Funds:

http://prajnacapital.blogspot.com/2011/06/buying-reliance-mutual-funds-online.html

 

3) Reliance Mutual Funds:

http://prajnacapital.blogspot.com/2011/07/buying-hdfc-mutual-funds-online.html

 

4) Sundaram Mutual Funds:

http://prajnacapital.blogspot.com/2011/07/buying-sundaram-mutual-funds-online.html

 

5) Birla Sunlife Mutual Funds:

http://prajnacapital.blogspot.com/2011/06/buying-birla-sunlife-mutual-funds.html

 

6) UTI Mutual Funds:

http://prajnacapital.blogspot.com/2011/06/buying-uti-mutual-funds-online.html

  

7) SBI Mutual Funds:

http://prajnacapital.blogspot.com/2011/06/buying-sbi-mutual-funds-online.html

 

8) Edelweiss Mutual Funds:

http://prajnacapital.blogspot.com/2011/06/buying-edelweiss-mutual-funds-online.html

 

9) IDFC Mutual Funds:

http://prajnacapital.blogspot.com/2011/06/buying-idfc-mutual-funds-online.html

 

 

Popular posts from this blog

TDS Rate and Personal Account Number(PAN)

    The TDS rate doubles to 20% from 10% if you fail to mention your Personal Account Number   IF you run a glance through your pay slip, you will come across something called TDS, which is tax deduction at source. In most cases, the employer deducts this amount at the time of payment of salary itself and pays the total tax amount to the government on behalf of all the employees. If you are a self- employed or practicing professional s, you have to pay this amount yourself.    Tax deducted at source is one of the modes of income tax collection by the government. Under the income-tax laws, income tax at specified rates is required to be deducted while making certain payments.    The rate of deduction of tax at source on interest and rent payment is 10%. For salary payments, the employers deduct income tax at source on a monthly basis after computing income tax liability on estimated annual taxable income of the employee. Tax benefits on housing loan, investments, etc are consid...
Read more

Fortis Mutual Fund

Fortis Mutual Fund, a relatively new player, it is still to prove its case and define its position in the industry. In September 2004, it came onto the scene with a bang - three debt schemes, one MIP and one diversified equity scheme. And investors flocked to it. Going by the standards at that time, it had a great start in terms of garnering money. Mopping up over Rs 2,000 crore in five schemes was not bad at all. The fund house has not been too successful in the equity arena, in terms of assets. Though it has seven equity schemes, it is debt and cash funds that corner the major portion of the assets. Most of the schemes are pretty new, and the two that have been around for a while have a 3-star rating each. The last two were Fortis Sustainable Development (April 2007), which received a rather poor response, and Fortis China India (October 2007). Fortis Flexi Debt has been one of the better performing funds, after a dismal performance in 2005. It currently has a 5-star rating. None ...
Read more

Birla Sun life Fixed Term Plan Series roll over

  The fund house has also decided to roll over the maturity date of Birla Sun life Fixed Term Plan Series LO for 773 days. The scheme shall now mature on July 20, 2017 against the previous June 08, 2015. Best Tax Saver Mutual Funds or ELSS Mutual Funds for 2015 1. ICICI Prudential Tax Plan 2. Reliance Tax Saver (ELSS) Fund 3. HDFC TaxSaver 4. DSP BlackRock Tax Saver Fund 5. Religare Tax Plan 6. Franklin India TaxShield 7. Canara Robeco Equity Tax Saver 8. IDFC Tax Advantage (ELSS) Fund 9. Axis Tax Saver Fund 10. BNP Paribas Long Term Equity Fund You can invest Rs 1,50,000 and Save Tax under Section 80C by investing in Mutual Funds Invest in Tax Saver Mutual Funds Online - Invest Online Download Application Forms For further information contact Prajna Capital on 94 8300 8300 by leaving a missed call --------------------------------------------- Leave your comment with mail ID and we will answer them OR You can write to us at PrajnaCapital [at] Gmail [dot] Com OR Leave a ...
Read more

JP Morgan ASEAN Offshore Fund

  JP Morgan ASEAN Offshore Fund - Invest Online JP Morgan ASEAN Offshore Equity Fund is an international equity mutual fund scheme that invests primarily in companies of countries which are part of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). Most international funds , apart from those focused on the US market, have been struggling for sometime. This is because of the uncertainties in the global market. International funds are meant for investors who want to diversify their investments across geographies. If you haven't made your investment for this diversification, you should sell your investments in this scheme.   Best Tax Saver Mutual Funds or ELSS Mutual Funds for 2015 1. BNP Paribas Long Term Equity Fund 2. Axis Tax Saver Fund 3. IDFC Tax Advantage (ELSS) Fund 4. ICICI Prudential Long Term Equity Fund 5. Religare Tax Plan 6. Franklin India TaxShield 7. DSP BlackRock Tax Saver Fund 8. Birla Sun Life Tax Relief 96 9. Reliance Tax Saver (ELSS) Fund 10. HDFC TaxSaver...
Read more

Term insurance

Term insurance may not be the most-marketed product by life cos, but it’s a must-have in today’s risk-prone lifestyle WHEN was the last time your insurance agent sold a term plan to you? It’s not a very popular policy among agents, as their commission in absolute terms is low because of the low-premium. Just as agents have their self interests in mind while selling, you need to make your own decision about your insurance needs, which are unique to your family. COST ADVANTAGE A term plan is pure protection. It is the cheapest type of life insurance policy. But what you see might not be what you get, most insurers have a range of health parameters for standard rates. If any of your health parameters — weight, blood pressure for instance fall outside this range, you will pay more. For some companies, the standard range is very narrow. EARLY BIRD GAINS A 30-year-old will pay 15% more premium than a 25-year-old. At 40, the premium is double of what is applicable for a 25-year old, points...
Read more
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Invest in Tax Saving Mutual Funds Download Any Applications
Transact Mutual Funds Online Invest Online
Buy Gold Mutual Funds Invest Now