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How to Approach the Gold Rush
Gold is having a moment, and clients want in.
Happy Sunday everyone, and welcome to Benzinga’s financial advisor newsletter.
With conflict in the Middle East, an ongoing war in Ukraine, an upcoming election, and simmering US tensions with China, the world is in an uncertain position. However, we can be certain about one thing: interest in gold soars during times of geopolitical instability.
Unsurprisingly, we’ve seen more and more clients asking their advisors how to approach investments in gold. Here are some fresh thoughts on the always intriguing metal, plus a market review and preview to get you prepared for the week ahead.
Lastly, if you would like to be featured in our upcoming advisor spotlight editions click here to send us an email.
INDUSTRY CHATTER
Gold is having a moment, and clients want in. Advisors have been reporting more clients asking how the metal fits into their portfolio and the best ways to play the trade.
The metal has gained around 5% to start the year, currently trading slightly under $2,166 per ounce.
While gold might not be grabbing headlines like crypto or AI, advisors have been fielding more questions about the commodity lately.
Having a Hedge
Wall Street sees gold’s placement in a portfolio as protection against certain risks.
Gold strategist George Milling-Stanley from State Street Global Advisors believes the metal hedges against geopolitical risks. With conflict in the Middle East, war in Ukraine, and U.S. tension with China, Milling-Stanley advises that gold could maintain its value regardless of the geopolitical landscape.
Some analysts see the upcoming U.S. election as an event that could rattle stocks and bonds, but it could provide a boost for gold as investors seek security.
It’s Not for Everyone
While Wall Street is optimistic on the metal, some advisors are staying away.
Eric Amzalag of Peak Financial Planning told Investment News he’s been “pushing back” when clients have asked about adding gold.
Amzalag said the rise in gold prices feels similar to what is happening with crypto, and he wants to avoid speculative assets in portfolios designed for the long term. As for using it as a hedge, he argued that there are better options to protect against risks that don’t involve gold.
Ways to Play
If advisors want to diversify client portfolios with gold, they have a few options to consider.
The SPDR Gold Shares ETF (GLD) is a popular option, with over $54 billion in net assets. The iShares Gold Trust ETF (IAU) is another idea. The funds operate as trusts which hold gold and the performance is designed to track the price of the metal.
Some brokerages offer the option to buy gold bars or coins through a third-party partnership. This option can allow investors to have physical ownership of their gold, but it does come with fees.
A third option is to invest in the source. Advisors can assist clients with investing in mining companies, hopeful that their stocks will gain as the price of gold swells.
Before deciding on gold, advisors need to consider the tax implications. The metal is taxed as a collectible, so a client could face higher taxes on gold gains than they would from long-term capital gains from stocks.
Whatever route you prefer, clients will be thankful for the expertise as they walk through the process.
MARKET RECAP
The Federal Reserve kept rates unchanged at its March meeting, but new forecasts confirmed plans for three 25-basis-point rate cuts this year, boosting Wall Street optimism.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell hinted that rate cuts will occur if the economy evolves as expected. He downplayed the unexpected inflation surges in January and February, pushing the market to anticipate a 72% chance of a rate cut by June.
The S&P 500, Nasdaq 100, and Dow Jones reached new all-time highs this week, with the S&P 500 and Dow experiencing their best week since the year’s start, and NVIDIA Corp. marking its 11th consecutive week of gains
ARK Investment's Predictions
Cathie Wood-led ARK Investment Management forecasts that five disruptive technologies — artificial intelligence, energy storage, robotics, multiomics, and public blockchains — will collectively be worth $220 trillion by 2030. This valuation marks a significant surge from the current $19 trillion, underpinning an era of accelerated economic growth and productivity.
Reddit’s IPO Surge
Reddit shares skyrocketed by 62% on their trading debut, with the initial public offering pushing the company’s market cap to $10 billion. This significant rise reflects strong investor interest, including both institutional and retail investors, aiming to democratize the IPO process.
NVIDIA’s Expansive Vision
NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang clarifies that NVIDIA transcends traditional chipmaking, focusing instead on accelerated computing to revolutionize technology. By offloading inefficient computing tasks, NVIDIA’s approach aims to transform a $100-trillion industry through AI with the introduction of the groundbreaking Blackwell chip.
AMD’s Potential Upswing
Advanced Micro Devices stock could see a 27% return if it reaches its recent peak prices once again, amidst a significant tech rally and AI advancements. Despite a recent 23.5% drop from its all-time high, analysts view the decline as a buying opportunity, citing AMD’s strong AI narrative and innovative product launches as key growth drivers.
Apple’s Legal Battle
Apple criticizes a Department of Justice lawsuit as a threat to its core identity and innovation, asserting it jeopardizes their product essence and market competition. The lawsuit accuses Apple of antitrust violations by limiting competitor access to iPhone features, marking the third such case in 14 years.
Musk Advocates Ketamine
Elon Musk defended his ketamine use for depression in an interview, arguing it boosts investor returns by enhancing his productivity. The discussion also touched on the impact of his drug use on Tesla and SpaceX‘s operations.
Click here for the full calendar of economic data and earnings reports.
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THE WEEK AHEAD
Economic Data
Monday: New home sales, Fed Gov. Lisa Cook speaks
Tuesday: Consumer confidence, Durable-goods orders, S&P Case-Shiller home price index
Wednesday: Fed Gov. Christoper Waller speaks
Thursday: Initial jobless claims, Pending home sales, Consumer sentiment
Friday: Advanced US trade balance in goods, Advanced retail inventories, Core PCE index
Earnings
Monday: Buzzfeed, FitLife Brands
Tuesday: GameStop
Wednesday: Carnival
Thursday: HB Fuller
Friday: Gemini Therapeutics
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