Why Trade Gold (and other metals)

Piece by: Random Like Arum
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Whether you are considering a short-term speculation or a long-term investment, gold and other precious metals always provide an exciting trading opportunity. Due to their intrinsic value, metals are seen as safe haven investments in times of financial storms and a good asset for portfolio diversification. But it is important to remember that metals can and do go through volatile periods based on economic conditions, which also attract traders that are speculating on short-term price movements.

Why Trade Gold

Gold is the most actively traded of all metals, and for good reason. Its unique properties of durability, malleability and conductivity make it a very desirable and in-demand metal for everything from industrial applications to jewelry. Like most commodities, the price of gold is shaped by market forces of supply and demand. Couple the high demand for gold with a limited supply, and you have all the ingredients for a sought-after commodity that keeps its value over long periods of time.

That isn’t to say, however, that the price of gold is always on the rise. Like everything else that’s traded, it is influenced by risk sentiment, market uncertainty, and inflation trends. In times of economic calamity, however, gold can retain its value better than most financial instruments. While stocks and currencies are vulnerable to situations such as conflict, political or economic crises, or fiscal mishaps from governments, gold’s sheer scarcity gives it a better chance at value retention.

Based on these characteristics, gold is often preferred by traders who are looking for a long-term investment. You can look for bullish or bearing markets, and price trends and reversals can be determined along with equity indices. For instance, a strong stock market is usually reflective of strong economic conditions, and thus weaker demand for gold as an investment. A bearish market, on the other hand, is indicative of weaker fundamentals and can make investors seek gold as a safe holding.

Why Trade Precious Metals like Silver and Platinum

Silver is often viewed as a cheaper alternative to gold, but its own unique properties make it quite different from its shinier counterpart. Aside from its use in jewelry, silver has wide applications as an industrial metal. This makes it more susceptible to conditions in the manufacturing industry and business activity among companies who use it. Because of that, price fluctuations are usually more volatile in the silver market in contrast to gold, making it a good candidate for short-term traders.

Platinum, like gold, also tends to gain value during times of economic, financial, or political crisis. It is much rarer compared to gold, however, and commands a much higher price and is thus less traded. All things considered, it can serve as an alternative safe investment, especially when the gold market becomes too active. Platinum also has things in common with silver when it comes to certain industrial uses, making its price sensitive to changing business conditions as well.

How to Trade Gold and other Precious Metals

Precious metals are traded on a spot basis, and don’t require the actual delivery of physical goods. Metals are traded in standard contract sizes of one lot. One lot of gold, for instance, is 100 troy ounces, while one lot of silver is 5000 troy ounces.

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