As many investors know, gold is a safe-haven asset that can actually increase in value during stock market slides and times of recession. But what else do you really know about this commodity? Are you taking full advantage of it? Do you know how to work it into your overall investment strategy?
Gold fell back slightly toward $1,400 an ounce on Tuesday, breaking a six-session rally, as turmoil in Libya prompted bullion investors to take profits and as sharp losses in equities and other commodities markets prompted margin selling.
Even as precious metal investors seem to be taken in by the superior performance of silver over gold, some analysts have raised the voice of caution, saying gold will soon outperform silver.
More and more investors are flocking to silver, sensing an opportunity. Mark Thomas of the Silver Shortage Report wrote on Tuesday that Soros Fund management has made an investment in Pan American Silver (PAAS).
Gold was little changed on Wednesday as the market was underpinned by a dollar drop and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's comment that he had no plans to scrap a massive bond-buying program, indicating interest rates will not rise any time soon.
Gold rose back towards yesterday's 3-week peaks in London on Wednesday, pushing higher against all major currencies as world stock markets slipped.
Gold held close to the previous session's near three-week high in Europe on Wednesday, supported by an increased focus on inflation after China's second interest rate hike in six weeks.