By buying gold, investors will likely preserve their portfolios’ store of value.
Guest post from Yvonne Blaszczyk, President & Chief Executive Officer, BMG Group Inc.
This year’s record-high gold price and anticipated stellar gold prices in years to come are signaling a turning point in the financial system as we know it. The U.S. economy is facing critical risks with an avalanche of factors in the background, including but not limited to southern border crises, the prospects of strong republican leadership and divisive narrative, easing of U.S. monetary policy with interest rate hikes ending, anticipated rate cuts, continued geopolitical turmoil and U.S. funding of futile wars and armed conflicts around the world.
The most recent military strikes by the U.S. and U.K. on the Houthis, a Yemeni militant group, further inflame the already sensitive political situation, affecting the economies of the U.S. and Europe directly. This complex multitude of factors profoundly depletes the domestic resources in the U.S. while forging ahead with an unprecedented gross national debt that currently exceeds US$34 trillion.
The rising tidal wave of the BRICS coalition and its focus on gold-backed currency is a catalyst for further gold price increases in the future and serious competition for the U.S. dollar as the world’s dominant reserve currency. BRICS is a serious economic and political block with the powerful founding partners Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa aiming at the global financial system and ultimately serving as a counterbalance to U.S. hegemony.
With the recent expansion and entrance of new members, including Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, BRICS will double its global oil production and represent more than half of the world’s population.
Argentina’s new president has sparked another global controversy. Javier Milei has withdrawn the country from its planned entry into BRICS. For the emerging economies of BRICS, it may be a blessing not to include Argentina, with its economic problems and high debt. In the near future, Argentina will potentially face catastrophic social unrest ignited by dramatic peso devaluation to 800 pesos to the U.S. dollar from 390 pesos and government policies. Perhaps it would be an interesting option for President Milei to consider gold backed peso as a partial solution for natural resources-rich Argentina. Gold has always been and will be money.
Spot gold achieved a 13% annual increase in 2023, trading today (January 5, 2024) above US$2,045.60 and CAD$2,736.58 per ounce.
The United States eliminated the gold standard in 1971, and since that time, the value of the U.S. dollar has been primarily backed by nothing. All leading market indicators point out the risk of staying invested without taking the “insurance” opportunity presented by gold.
During the last 100 years, there have been four periods when stocks generated zero growth while at the same time, gold has increased in value from US$20.67 per ounce to US$2,045.60 today.
However, we are close to the end of the longest bull market in history. When this market experiences a significant correction, the potential losses of life savings will be unrecoverable for the foreseeable future. The current bull market in the U.S. endured housing market overvaluation, various bank collapses, and a lack of liquidity that left many investors seeking the store value of gold.
For illustrative purposes, please note the gain needed to break even during various market declines:
Equity markets are overpriced by every conventional measure. They are heading for a significant correction, potentially reducing the wealth of most investors who can be otherwise insured by adding gold to a portfolio, not being swept by old paradigms, and missing the golden opportunity.
By cashing out of some investments today and buying gold, investors will likely preserve their portfolios’ store of value and be poised to invest in highly discounted stocks, bonds, and ETFs after the correction.
Looking back at 2008, even non-correlated investments like REITs suffered significant declines. The Dundee Dream Office REIT declined by 84%, even though rental income was unchanged, resulting in dividend yields of 30% for investors who purchased at the end of the correction. Today, the situation is very different in a post-lockdown paradigm.
Staying invested to achieve minimal potential gains in the next few years does not justify risking losses. Investors could hold cash during this period, but inflation will result in losses of purchasing power of +/-8% or 18%, using the more realistic rate of Shadowstats.com. However, if investors hold gold bullion as portfolio insurance, they could realize positive gains.
The table below shows gains made during past corrections:
With the foresight of purchasing gold bullion, investors will potentially avoid significant losses and realize substantial gains, capturing the price gains now and later by buying other investments, such as discounted stocks, after the market correction.
Based on our research, we developed the BMG Diversified Hedge Fund that captures this win-win strategy for accredited investors. Our hedge fund initially allocates 100% to the BMG Gold BullionFund to be “parked” until a significant correction. On completion of the correction, the BMG Diversified Hedge Fund will allocate to a diversified portfolio of equities, fixed income, and selected funds that have outperformed their indexes and peers for the past ten years.
While this graphic is based on actual historical performance data, actual market conditions may vary in the future, and it may not be possible to achieve optimal results in executing the strategy of the BMG Diversified Hedge Fund. Past performance is no indication of future performance.
Guest post from Yvonne Blaszczyk, President & Chief Executive Officer, BMG Group Inc.
