Gold futures hit the key $1,000 mark for the first time in nearly a year, as global financial worries boosted the safe-haven appeal of the precious metal. In recent action, gold for April delivery traded at $996.80 an ounce, up $20.30, or 2%, on the day. It earlier touched a high of $1,000.30. Gold for February delivery, the near-month contract which registered little volume, was last up $20.10, or 2%, at $996.60 an ounce on Globex.
Locally Gold prices set yet another record of Rs 16,000 per 10 gram in line with the surging global bullion markets on speculation that the global recession will deepen further.
Market analysts said the demand of the yellow metal picked up after the global equity dropped in the recent past.They said, investors find no other option but to park their funds in the precious metals, while physical buying for the current marriage season declined substantially.
Gold in the year 2008 outperformed most asset classes and has provided a 32-per cent return on investment.The compounded annualized returns on investment in gold in the last five years ending 2008 have been 19 per cent. In 2009 till date, gold price has appreciated by more than 12 per cent and still going stronger.
It seems that gold was the only one that wasn't much affected by this recession.
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Gold is always affected by a recession. But not in the way you'd think. The more valuable gold is, the less valuable the dollar is. The American dollar is suppose to be matched to gold (the gold standard), but seeing as how we were taken off the gold standard and the federal reserve prints money out of thin air, it's no wonder gold is "more valuable". In reality, it's not the gold that is more valuable, but the dollar that is less valuable.
Personally, I see gold as more of an insurance policy than an investment. It would be good to have something of real value when the dollar completely tanks.