GOLD-silver ratio, which denotes how many ounces of silver are needed at a given point of time to buy an ounce of gold, is a handy tool to understand the direction in which the two volatile metals may move in the near future.
The ratio can help an investor to switch his holdings to gold or silver as the ratio moves up and down, thus, accumulating more quantity of both the metals.
The ratio shows how many times more expensive gold is to silver. Typically, the ratio moves in a pattern, and in normal circumstances, it helps predict which direction the prices shall move in the near future.
Between 1950s and 1980s, the gold-silver ratio has largely moved between 20 and 50. In 1980, however, it touched 100, when global economies were trying to contain inflation and were selling their gold reserves. In 1990-2000, the ratio largely remained stable.
Gold is mainly an invest ment tool, while silver serves industrial purposes as well.
Once it reaches 70 and if there is an upward trend, it is time to move the gold holdings partly into silver. Almost 60 per cent of the holdings can thus be moved into silver in phases if the ratio touches 80.
The ratio moving beyond 85 levels has happened only in 1980 and this is not likely in normal situations. From 80, the ratio has come down and silver prices have started rallying.
At 80 levels, the investor should wait for the silver rally to play out and the ratio to once again drop down to levels between 50 and 55.
Between 50 and 35, he can once again accumulate gold as the ratio is only going to move up at around 35.
Along with the ratio, an investor also has to follow the macro economic factors to understand the duration of the cyclical movement in gold and silver.
Investors can also use data to switch between gold and silver
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