The recent chatter in the financial world is that a stock market crash is imminent. If the prediction holds true, do you have your investments protected?
It has been a historic fact that when the stock market is in trouble the value of gold increases. In fact, if you look back at the Dow Jones vs gold price ratio you can see what I'm talking about.
The Dow vs gold price ratio looks at the number of ounces of gold it takes to purchase the Dow, assuming that each point in the Dow index equals one dollar.
Throughout history there have been several points in time where the ratio closed to within 1:1 or 2:1, meaning it would take about one or two ounces of gold to purchase the Dow.
In 1896 the ratio was 1.28:1, in 1932 it was 2.97:1 and the last time the Dow vs gold ratio came close was in 1980 when it was 1.33:1. At the time of this article it is about 11:1, down from it's all time high of 41:1 back in 1999.
Analysts predict we will see the ratio close to about a 2:1 ratio once again in the near future. For that to happen either the stock market will have to crash, the price of gold rise considerably or some of each. It's highly unlikely we'll see gold rise to $5000 an ounce. With the state of the economy, high oil prices, the housing market declining and banks in trouble, a stock market crash is more likely.
So, if the stock market does crash, how can you protect your investments without selling off your stocks?
It's simple, add gold to your portfolio. But go one step further, acquire your gold at a cost far below it's current value, or even better, get it for nothing.
Before you think I'm crazy, let me explain how it is possible to acquire gold for nothing, free.
I'm sure you've heard the old saying, "There's gold in them hills." Well today the saying should be, "There's gold in them houses."
Nearly every household has someone who has unwanted gold items that they will eventually need or want to sell. In fact, in 2007 there was over 1000 metric tons of unwanted gold sold for scrap to refineries. Think about it, that translates to nearly $30 billion in value based on today's gold price. That volume will surely increase in 2008 and 2009 because with gold prices at an all time high there is more of a reason to sell.
Most people have no idea where to sell their gold items so they sell to places like pawn shops and coin shop owners, all of which pay a very small percentage of value. Most only pay anywhere from 20% to 50% of the spot gold price.
Because of the lack of competition you can buy the gold for those prices as well. Then turn around and sell it to the refinery for full value.
When selling to the refinery take half your payment in cash and the other half in investment gold, bullion coins or bars. Because you paid 50% or lower when you bought, and received 100% when you sold, the cash you received for half covered your entire initial investment. The bullion you received was actually your profit, which means you do not have one cent invested in it.
So if the stock market crashes and gold rises you will have your investment protected. And if the stock market doesn't crash it's even better because, in addition to your stock portfolio, you own investment gold with nothing invested.