Why Gold Takes a Beating on the Threat of Higher Rates

Gold reacts to interest rates as a Vampire does to a wooden stake.

Bullion.Directory precious metals analysis 30 September, 2014
By Christopher Lemieux
Senior FX and Commodities Analyst at FX Analytics

Why does gold react this way? Because gold has to compete against yield bearing assets.

Gold, in general terms, does not pay the investor anything for holding it offering only capital appreciation, meaning there is no protection against capital losses. Money is only made when gold increases in value, while a yielding asset pays interest, which could protect against any downside loss or add to profits.

Resource: Federal Reserve; London Bullion Market Association

Theoretically, gold will take a clobbering ahead of a rate increase.

However, the Federal Reserve (and the ECB, BoJ, and BoE) have conducted unorthodox monetary policies, such as ultra-low interest rates – meaning investors have had to seek out alternative ways to seek yield, including high risk credit instruments, junk bonds, real estate investment trusts (REITs) and sub-prime loans.

Bubbles in these areas are apparent, and the risk of contagion are unknown.

It is important for investors to know the relationship between gold and interest rates, but this relationship can change.

For instance, when the Fed increased rates in the early-to-mid-2000s, gold prices increased. Gold prices increased even more after rates rebounded following cratering in 2008.

Gold investors generally take a longer-term outlook and use it as a hedge against the uncertainty of economic downturns or the risk of inflation.

Investing in gold receives a bad rap because when prices decline, those looking for short-term capital appreciation panic and try to unload their bullion. Gold has had an outstanding performance of returns over the years, and not everyone is destined to be a trader.

Small portions of gold have always been prudent within a portfolio because the global economic dynamic change change suddenly, almost overnight in the case of Lehman Bros. and the 2008 financial crisis.

When protection is cheap, like gold (or put options, for instance), losing the opportunity to buy when low will be costly.

Bullion.Directory or anyone involved with Bullion.Directory will not accept any liability for loss or damage as a result of reliance on the information including data, quotes, charts and buy/sell signals contained within this website. Please be fully informed regarding the risks and costs associated with trading in precious metals. Bullion.Directory advises you to always consult with a qualified and registered specialist advisor before investing in precious metals.

 Previous Post

The US Dollar Bull Market could be slowing

Next Post  

China Gold Hype Overload