Gold, Fractional Banking, And Other Insanity
Many investors have taken advantage of the inflation fighting benefits of gold investing. To be sure, gold has offered decent returns and should have a place in a normal investment portfolio. I personally keep a small percentage of gold in my investment portfolio as a matter of principle.
On the other hand, many investors have a difficult, if not impossible, relationship with their beloved metal. During times of financial stress "gold bugs" emerge from hibernation and inundate the public, and anyone else who will listen, with wild predictions of unheard of gold prices. Of course, to make these sort of claims, one must ignore the usual tenants of supply and demand. But gold has always had a hypnotic and irrational allure for some investors, and no claim (no matter how preposterous) seems too audacious.
It should be noted that gold has made some very nice gains at certain times, so ignoring gold as an asset class would be a grave mistake. Unfortunately, gold bugs trumpet the idea of loading up on only gold in hopes of the long awaited and meteoric rise many have long waited for in messianic anticipation. To date, gold has performed much like any other asset class such as stocks, bonds or mutual funds; it has had some good years and some bad years.
The question is, though, why this euphoria over the potential gains in gold?
The answer is not an easy one to answer in a short essay. In the early 1970s, Pres. Richard Nixon demonetized gold, which essentially removed the United States from what could be loosely called the "gold standard." Instead of our currency being backed by hard currency such as gold, our currency was backed with the full faith and credit of the United States of America. Ever since that decision, the howls and caterwauling have persisted by a small group of investors and economists who felt this move was a grievous mistake. I am not qualified to judge whether or not we should have stayed on the gold standard, but there were many developing problems associated with adherence to the gold standard and the time had come to move on to what is called fractional banking. To be sure, fractional banking is the "de facto" standard in current world banking. It's detractors call it "fiat" banking and claim the currency issued by the government is merely paper and of marginal value, since it is not backed by hard currency. A casual perusal of the chat boards on this topic regularly feature raging arguments as to the pros and cons of fractional banking versus gold standard banking.
We have reached the crux of the gold valuation issue here, since many feel fractional banking and fiat currency is worthless, they steadfastly maintain that gold will rise as the only true money. This argument gains marginal credibility when one considers the effects of inflation on the dollar. As inflation increases, the buying power of the dollar decreases. Our country has have been experiencing this phenomena for decades, hence the increase in prices, wages, and overall living costs in the United States.
Of course, there ought to be a happy medium between these two conflicting points of view on the gold standard and fractional banking, but adherents to both systems seem to find little common ground and the argument rages on. To my way of thinking, having a portion of your investment portfolio in gold is a good idea but abandoning the fractional banking system we currently employ is not an option that is currently available to our burgeoning economic system. But the gold bugs continue their dogged defense of the gold standard, and the adherents to centralized banking give no ground. Hence, the loud cry for an eventual massive gain in the value of gold.
Personally, I see gold as subject to the same supply and demand constraints all commodities are faced with and believe it will periodically rise in price and periodically fall in price. I can foresee no circumstance where a gold will rise to unheard of values nor can I envision gold declining precipitously in value. Quite simply, gold is subject to the same supply and demand constraints shared by other commodities.
Questions and Answers
In a time of unprecedented global awakening, the peoples of the nations are rapidly becoming aware of how they've been kept in financial bondage for centuries. The veils of deception and fraud carefully woven by a malevolent Money Power are being torn apart like spider web in a gale. Find out how you can lawfully write off your debts and destroy for all time the tyrannical banking institutions that have been enslaving mankind for generations...
According to the World Gold Council, investing in gold is considered to be safer than traditional investments in equities and bonds since gold is the commodity where the price is determined by various factors apart from its demand and supply.
Banks can create money out of thin air using your credit application for leverage.
Gold is the most common investment among all the precious metals. Investors generally purchase gold as a safe haven against financial, political, social or flat currency crisis. It includes investment market, burgeoning national debt, currency failure, inflation, war and social unrest.
The gold and silver price was one of the many points of discussions at this week's industry event the Sydney Gold Symposium. Money Morning Australia published some quotes from the remarkable keynote speech.
The growing Indian market is attracting investors on the ground of the promising and assured return. The online trading is very popular these days and most of the people prefer it for quick money.
Learn the fundamentals of committing cash in Stocks, Ties, Common resources, Merchandise, Actual estate We create Getting Inventory Industry straightforward for you with a comprehensive guide to committing. Any effective stock market buyer must be acquainted with the fundamentals of stock market committing.
Online share trading is one of the most popular financial markets in the world today; however, any people are hesitant in starting due to not knowing a lot about it. This article will help explain what online share trading is all about, how you can get involved for a low initial investment and what to consider before, during and after trading.
The stock market is mostly used to create money. . I am sharing my investment strategy as a retail investor. Most financial experts recommend investors to initially contact a financial advisor. Able to provide advice, it can ensure that the money an investor get a good return or not.
This article has discussed about the importance of Stop orders. Stop orders act like the life jackets
It is not unusual to hear individuals ask about trading the "high probability" gap trades. It seems that there is a perception (by some traders) that e-mini gap trading falls into the sure-fire trade class of trades. Note: I have yet to locate a sure-fire trade in several decades of trading.
I've been writing some about trend lines lately and noted my observation, in several of the articles, of the declining use of this valuable charting tool. I don't have any illusions that a couple of articles by a relatively unknown author will have any effect on the use of these lines; but if just a couple of traders see the value of trending lines and e-mini trading, then I suppose I have done my job.
I like trading indicators that help me understand e-mini trading in real time. I can think of no better real time trading experience than watching price action move toward a known area of support/resistance (SAR) and evaluating what the possible outcomes may be when price collides with support lines or resistance lines.
Given a choice of just one e-mini trading indicator/chart pattern I would select, hands down, support and resistance. In my little world of trading, support and resistance (SAR) reign supreme.
Trend breakouts and breakout volume share two important factors (among a list of other important variables) in shaping the likelihood of a successful trend breakout or breakdown. For obvious reasons, volume in a specific direction is a key ingredient in a successful trade.
Discuss this Article
