There is a common misconception in the financial world that gold moves in the opposite direction of the stock market. This unfortunate interpretation of historical data produces a misleading image that often results in confusion and bewilderment among investors when the two markets periodically move in the same direction.
Negative Correlation or No Correlation?
In order for gold and the stock market to move in opposite directions, there would need to be a negative correlation between gold and stocks. There is no evidence that such a correlation exists and, if there was, and it was true that gold moved in the opposite direction of stocks, it would greatly reduce gold's value as an investment alternative.
If gold and the stock market were on the proverbial see-saw that a negative correlation necessarily implies, there would be no reason for long-term investors to invest in both. The proper decision would be for individuals to choose which ever one outperformed the other over the long-term.
Fortunately, individuals are not faced with such a dilemma.
The fact of the matter is, gold is NOT negatively correlated to the stock market. Nor is it positively correlated to the stock market.
There is NO discernible correlation between gold and the stock market.
Gold: An Independent Asset
In other words, gold reacts independent of stocks, to economic and political factors and market events.
This makes gold the ideal diversifier for a portfolio of stocks. The reason for this is because of the unpredictable nature of world events.
When you get right down to it, consistently predicting near-term and medium-term movements in the stock market is just about impossible. No one has done so with any success to date and no one has developed any trading system that has done so over the long haul.
The same can be said of the gold market. No one has a crystal ball with which to predict the movements in gold either.
Likewise, no one can predict with certainty the timing and nature of the next economic crisis or perhaps the next terrorist attack. All of these kinds of factors impact the financial markets-including the stock market and gold market-and thus need to be accounted for.
Gold: Protection Against Inevitable Uncertainty
The best way to protect your portfolio against unpredictable events in the financial markets, the economy and the geopolitical arena is to diversify as completely as possible. This means not just diversifying across industry by selecting stocks of companies which are engaged in varying lines of business, it means diversifying across asset classes. In addition to a diversified portfolio of stocks from a variety of industries, individuals absolutely must include gold in their portfolio.
Why?
Because gold has no correlation with the stock market. The best way to achieve the stability of your portfolio is to include an asset that is as unpredictable vis a vis stocks as the very events which impact the stock market.
We know from history that gold will not react in the same way as the stock market to crisis, hyperinflation, depression, and other turmoil. This is what makes gold so vital for all people.
No one knows what to expect next from the financial world. One day the stock market is doing just fine and the next a storied name like Merrill Lynch is being bailed out in a deal put together by the Feds. One day the world is calm and the next a 23 year old tries to blow up an airliner over Detroit.
We can't change the unpredictability of future events and the stock market's reaction to those events, but there is something we can do to help protect our wealth from the fallout, and that is to own gold.
Copyright (c) 2010 Rod Hoss
Showing posts with label Market. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Market. Show all posts
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Want To Play The Stock Market Game?
"What stock market game should I play?" one might be wondering. In that, one would not be alone. Some version of the game is played every day, by hundreds of people. These are games that simulate the actions of the real stock market, so that people can play them with a freedom to practice, not having to risk money that is real. Once they have it down, they can move on to the real thing. There are two main styles of games: fantasy simulators and financial simulators. One stock market game is the fantasy simulator, while the other style is the financial simulator; these are the main two styles that exist.
A financial simulator makes use of fake money and lets the player invest it in stocks that are real, so that they can get a feel for what the real market does -- and so that they can see how they would have done had they invested their own savings. The games are delayed by around twenty minutes from the actual stock market, as they can then mirror what is truly happening without giving an illegal edge to anyone using real money. Fantasy simulators allow people to trade in shares of things that they cannot, in a real world setting, buy shares in. Some of these let people buy shares in sports, for example. This lets sports fanatics have fun, whether they love football or baseball.
One excellent program for playing, if one is interested is testing out the market with no risk, is the Young Money Stock Market Game. One must be a member of the Young Money website in order to play, but membership in the site is also free, so that is no hurdle. The player must join the Young Money website in order to play, but site membership is also free. The amount of fake money given out when one begins to play is one million dollars. This can then be invested in the stocks of one's choice, which can be traded around in a real-time simulation that is just like the actual stock market.
The game features a number of different screens. There is a Contests Screen, as there are contests in the program that one can participate in. The next is the Watchlist Screen, which one uses to keep a close eye on the rising and falling of the stocks one likes. After that comes the Stock Screen, showing the overall market trends. The Trade Screen is where one can move the purchased stocks around to make money, to build on that one million dollars.
The game costs nothing and can be very educational, and so all people should try it out before trying the real thing.
A financial simulator makes use of fake money and lets the player invest it in stocks that are real, so that they can get a feel for what the real market does -- and so that they can see how they would have done had they invested their own savings. The games are delayed by around twenty minutes from the actual stock market, as they can then mirror what is truly happening without giving an illegal edge to anyone using real money. Fantasy simulators allow people to trade in shares of things that they cannot, in a real world setting, buy shares in. Some of these let people buy shares in sports, for example. This lets sports fanatics have fun, whether they love football or baseball.
One excellent program for playing, if one is interested is testing out the market with no risk, is the Young Money Stock Market Game. One must be a member of the Young Money website in order to play, but membership in the site is also free, so that is no hurdle. The player must join the Young Money website in order to play, but site membership is also free. The amount of fake money given out when one begins to play is one million dollars. This can then be invested in the stocks of one's choice, which can be traded around in a real-time simulation that is just like the actual stock market.
The game features a number of different screens. There is a Contests Screen, as there are contests in the program that one can participate in. The next is the Watchlist Screen, which one uses to keep a close eye on the rising and falling of the stocks one likes. After that comes the Stock Screen, showing the overall market trends. The Trade Screen is where one can move the purchased stocks around to make money, to build on that one million dollars.
The game costs nothing and can be very educational, and so all people should try it out before trying the real thing.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Every Real Estate Market Provides Investment Opportunities
Unquestionably, real estate investments can become large payoffs, but to avoid the risks of fickle markets you need to be prepared to do a lot of groundwork and legwork. It really is correct that with significant potential risks can come excellent returns and for several investors owning a physical investment has its advantages. Below are some tried and tested tactics for converting real estate investments into gold mines.
Should you have handyman skills and access to an excellent carpenter who can give you advice, you are able to make a healthy return on a home that need some small improvements. If you have handyman abilities and access to a good carpenter who can advise you, you'll be able to make a healthy profit on a home that requires some minor renovations. You will then be capable of factor this price into the final purchase price and use it as a bargaining chip with the vendor.
In case you do purchase a home that requirements work the very best thing to do is start immediately. For one point, you usually discover previously unseen issues that demand additional care. You could also discover potential problems that may be fixed ahead of time prior to they result in long run repairs.
Without a doubt, the low expense of foreclosure properties attracts many interested buyers, creating a very competitive industry. Consequently, you need to develop a system that permits you to give consideration to numerous properties all together instead of concentrating on just one. As this minimizes your chances for a deal you should be looking at a number of houses concurrently as a way to increase your odds.
The cost of a property is not only determined by its present condition, the neighborhood real estate sector also takes on a huge element in assessing the all round value. For that reason, you have to fully grasp the advantages and disadvantages of any neighborhood you're contemplating to make certain you are not overpricing or undervaluing the house. This can be where the expertise of a real estate adviser will be very helpful as they'll be able to give detailed pricing statistics about the region.
Any time you are choosing a real estate agent it really is best to go with somebody that is an neighborhood specialist and one which you feel you can operate well with. Buying a home can be an emotional adventure and you'll need to rely on your agent to keep you focused. Once you are within the final steps of negotiating you will be happy you have a specialist on your side.
In no way forget that you're purchasingan investment property to resell it for profit. If you are remodeling the residence you need to be considering what prospective purchasers inside your location are seeking so you do not invest money on house improvement projects that can not add worth to the property.
Never believe, nevertheless, that possessing an excellent Realtor means you don't have to do the research by yourself, it is nevertheless your responsibility to research and examine all elements of any real estate deal ahead of placing your signature to on the bottom line. However, in the event you can establish a realistic teamwork mindset with your Realtor, you'll be able to expect to reap fantastic returns out of your real estate purchases.
Copyright (c) 2013 Steven Johanssen
Should you have handyman skills and access to an excellent carpenter who can give you advice, you are able to make a healthy return on a home that need some small improvements. If you have handyman abilities and access to a good carpenter who can advise you, you'll be able to make a healthy profit on a home that requires some minor renovations. You will then be capable of factor this price into the final purchase price and use it as a bargaining chip with the vendor.
In case you do purchase a home that requirements work the very best thing to do is start immediately. For one point, you usually discover previously unseen issues that demand additional care. You could also discover potential problems that may be fixed ahead of time prior to they result in long run repairs.
Without a doubt, the low expense of foreclosure properties attracts many interested buyers, creating a very competitive industry. Consequently, you need to develop a system that permits you to give consideration to numerous properties all together instead of concentrating on just one. As this minimizes your chances for a deal you should be looking at a number of houses concurrently as a way to increase your odds.
The cost of a property is not only determined by its present condition, the neighborhood real estate sector also takes on a huge element in assessing the all round value. For that reason, you have to fully grasp the advantages and disadvantages of any neighborhood you're contemplating to make certain you are not overpricing or undervaluing the house. This can be where the expertise of a real estate adviser will be very helpful as they'll be able to give detailed pricing statistics about the region.
Any time you are choosing a real estate agent it really is best to go with somebody that is an neighborhood specialist and one which you feel you can operate well with. Buying a home can be an emotional adventure and you'll need to rely on your agent to keep you focused. Once you are within the final steps of negotiating you will be happy you have a specialist on your side.
In no way forget that you're purchasingan investment property to resell it for profit. If you are remodeling the residence you need to be considering what prospective purchasers inside your location are seeking so you do not invest money on house improvement projects that can not add worth to the property.
Never believe, nevertheless, that possessing an excellent Realtor means you don't have to do the research by yourself, it is nevertheless your responsibility to research and examine all elements of any real estate deal ahead of placing your signature to on the bottom line. However, in the event you can establish a realistic teamwork mindset with your Realtor, you'll be able to expect to reap fantastic returns out of your real estate purchases.
Copyright (c) 2013 Steven Johanssen
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