Getting Real: Overcoming the Five
Myths of Precious Metals Investing
By Jon Potts
Managing Director
Delaware Depository
Look across the traditional investment landscape.
In many cases, the usual mix of stocks and bonds – the core of the “Efficient Frontier” and Modern Portfolio
Theory – has proven to be more correlative than not in the new global economy.
Yesterday’s portfolios may no longer be up to today’s challenges.
In their quest for portfolios that can withstand the rigors of today’s marketplace, financial advisors and investors
are increasingly looking for alternative solutions. For some, even holding securities is not enough. They are
turning in greater numbers to the benefits of ownership in actual collateral, real assets – like precious metals.
This enduring asset class can play as prudent a role in a well-rounded investment program as it did 2500 years
ago with the introduction of the first gold coins. To access the benefits of precious metals, brokers, advisors and
investors, however, should first overcome a few of the popular myths surrounding precious metals investing:
• Myth #1: You have to be a gold bug or a survivalist to care about gold
• Myth #2: Precious metals are just too risky (and strange)
• Myth #3: Precious metals don’t really fit into an asset allocation strategy
• Myth #4: Precious metals are illiquid
• Myth #5: Keeping precious metals safe from thieves is a constant worry
Myth #1: You have to be a gold bug or a survivalist to care about gold
The term gold bug is frequently used to describe those that criticize the use of fiat currency and support a
return to the use of the Gold Standard. Whether you believe in the eventual collapse of the currency or not, gold
can play a vital role in a modern portfolio.
FACT:
While war and political upheaval will continue to drive up the demand for gold on short notice,
there are other reasons, like asset allocation, to invest in mankind’s first asset class: precious metals
Financial advisors and investors don’t have to be frightened by world events to benefit from investments in gold
and other precious metals. Given its historic role in the global monetary system, gold has consistently exhibited
a negative correlation to the U.S. dollar, offering protection against losses in purchasing power.
There are good reasons to consider precious metals during unusual market conditions and periods of global
conflict, but, more importantly, they represent a long-term element in a prudent asset allocation strategy. A
proven alternative asset class, precious metals have facilitated commerce and wealth generation for 2,500 years.
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© Copyright 2014 Equity Institutional®. All Rights Reserved.
Getting Real: Overcoming the Five
Myths of Precious Metals Investing
Myth #2: Precious metals are just too
risky (and strange)
For those unconvinced that fiat currency is on its
last legs, precious metal investments might seem a
little scary. The truth is just the opposite.
FACT
Gold prices, $/ozt
$2,000
$1,800
$1,600
$1,400
-33%
+553%
$1,200
$1,000
$800
• Despite a “lost decade” for equities in the 2000s, one
asset class delivered outstanding returns to investors
over the same time period: gold
$600
$400
• While no investment is without risk, gold outperformed
equities in four of five bear markets from 1973 to 2010
$200
‘00
‘01
‘02
‘03
‘04
‘05
‘06
‘07
‘08
‘09
‘10
‘11
‘12
‘13
Source: Dow Jones & Company, J.P. Morgan Asset Management. Data are as of 11/21/13.
S&P 500
Peak
1/5/73
11/28/80
8/25/87
3/24/00
10/9/07
Trough
10/3/74
8/12/82
12/4/87
10/9/02
3/9/09
Return
-48%
-27%
-34%
-49%
-57%
Gold Return
139%
-46%
6%
12%
26%
Sources: Standard & Poor’s, NBER, Dow Jones & Company, J.P. Morgan Asset Management. Data are as of 11/21/13.
Additional source information for chart and table1
FACT
Investors favor increasing their exposure to precious metals
over all other non-cash asset classes
Not so strange: Investors report increasing
comfort with precious metals
According to a Nataxis Survey in 2013, 28% of
investors polled said they planned to increase
their investments in precious metals over the next
12 months, surpassing the number of those who
planned to increase their U.S. stock allocation.2
Investors also said they are turning to their
financial advisors for more ideas about how
alternative investments, including precious
metals, can play a role in their portfolios. Fully
85% of investors said they would invest in
alternatives if they understood them better.
Equity Institutional services institutional clients of Equity Trust Company.
72%
Global Stocks
19%
55%
Cash
36%
Real Estate
62%
28%
Gold/Precious Metals
62%
28%
0%
25%
% Maintaining Allocation
50%
75%
100%
% Increasing Allocation
Source: Nataxis Global Investment Management http://mms.businesswire.com/
media/20130917005157/en/382780/1/US_Chart_9_11_13.pdf?download=1
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Getting Real: Overcoming the Five
Myths of Precious Metals Investing
A survey conducted by EverBank3 last year supported similar conclusions: 52% of investors said they were
looking outside of traditional U.S. equities for performance in 2013. Of these, 21% were eying investment
opportunities in precious metals.
FACT:
Investment Advisors Also Warming to the Appeal of Precious Metals
Commodities and precious metals have graduated to the mainstream of investment asset classes, according
to a survey of brokerage representatives and independent advisers undertaken by Investment News4 in 2013.
According to participant Tom Lydon, president of Global Trends Investments, “This survey confirms that many
advisers are using commodities and precious metals in diversified portfolios, and indeed, these alternative
investments have cemented themselves as mainstream asset classes.”
About a third surveyed noted that they were using precious metals as part of their clients’ asset allocation
strategies, while more than 20% included precious metals in tactical investing approaches.
FACT:
Alternatives Are a Favorite Choice for Many Major Institutions
Investors concerned that precious metals may represent too great a departure from conservative money
management principles should read Wealth Daily’s “Who Owns Most of the World’s Gold?”5 It’s no surprise that
governments, central banks, and investment funds head the list as the world’s largest holders of gold reserves:
1. Topping the list is the United States with holdings of 261.6 million ounces worth approximately $433 billion6.
2. The Deutsche Bundesbank, the most influential member of the European System of Central Banks, has
109.4 million ounces of gold valued at about $181 billion6.
3. The International Monetary Fund that oversees the global financial system by following the macroeconomic
policies of its 185 member countries holds 90.5 million ounces valued at $150 billion6.
4. China’s reserves are estimated at 87 million ounces valued at $144 billion7.
5. The Italian National Bank, Banca D’Italia, has reserves of 78.8 million ounces worth approximately
$131 billion6.
6. The Banque De France is close behind Italy with reserves in the vicinity of 78.3 million ounces worth
$130 billion6.
3
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© Copyright 2014 Equity Institutional®. All Rights Reserved.
Getting Real: Overcoming the Five
Myths of Precious Metals Investing
Myth #3 Precious metals don’t fit into an asset allocation strategy
Relying on a traditional portfolio of only stocks, bonds and cash may prove more risky than adding alternative
assets like gold.
A diversified blend of precious metals and traditional investments in a portfolio may outperform a
traditional portfolio while lowering risk
The exhibit illustrates a
comparison between a portfolio
that combined traditional
investments with alternatives
(which included precious metals)
and a portfolio composed of only
traditional investments.
In the case of the portfolio with
alternatives, the risk profile of
the hypothetical investment
was reduced while the return
was improved.
A COMPELLING VOLATILITY/RETURN PROFILE
(10-year period ended 12/31/11)
Average annual total return
FACT:
Adding alternatives to a traditional portfolio improved
returns by 0.96% and reduced volatility, or risk, by 1.40%
6%
4%
Portfolio with alternatives
(50% stocks/20% alternatives/25% bonds/5% cash)
5.68% return / 10.52% volatility
2%
0%
10%
Traditional portfolio
(70% stocks/25% bonds/5% cash)
4.72% return / 11.92% volatility
11%
Volatility
12%
Source: Morningstar as of 12/31/11. Past performance is historical and does not guarantee future results. Standard deviation is often
used to represent the volatility of an investment. It depicts how widely an investment’s returns vary from the investment’s average return
over a certain period. These portfolios are for illustrative purposes only, do not represent the performance of any investment and do not
incorporate rebalancing. Hypothetical and equity index returns assume reinvestment of all distributions. Index returns do not reflect
expenses or fees.8
The advantages of including gold in an equity portfolio, as represented by the S&P 500 Index, is also
dramatic. Adding more gold greatly reduces risk while delivering increased overall return.
Annualized Portfolio Returns
Ten Year Period Ending October 2013
9.2
20% Gold
18% Gold
9.0
16% Gold
8.8
14% Gold
12% Gold
Return
8.6
10% Gold
8.4
8% Gold
6% Gold
8.2
4% Gold
8.0
2% Gold
7.8
No Gold
7.6
3.60
3.70
3.80
3.90
4.00
4.10
4.20
4.30
Source: Tony Anzalone, CFA, “Increasing Retirement Savings with Gold,” The Refined Investor, Winter 2014
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© Copyright 2014 Equity Institutional®. All Rights Reserved.
Getting Real: Overcoming the Five
Myths of Precious Metals Investing
Myth #4: Precious metals are illiquid
FACT:
By diversifying into precious metals, investors gain a real asset growth vehicle that is fully liquid.
Not only have gold and other
precious metals long been
considered one of the few ways to
protect assets from high inflation
and economic uncertainty, but
precious metals are liquid assets
and readily convertible into cash.
Gold is traded 24/7 around the
world. With narrow bid/ask spreads,
gold is easily bought and sold for
investors through a broad based
network of dealers.
Myth #5: Keeping
precious metals safe
from thieves is a
constant worry
The movies are rich with stories of
major gold heists. However, the
real world is very different than
Hollywood.
FACT:
PRECIOUS METALS IN
RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS
To learn more about holding precious metals in retirement accounts,
download a free guide: “Holding Precious Metals in a Retirement Account” at
http://equityinstitutional.com/investment-options/precious-metals.aspx
A passive custodian like Equity Institutional provides world class storage and security for precious
metals through one of the nation’s largest precious metals depositories.
Not only is gold securely stored in an insured, physically segregated account, but coins are also identified by
type and year to allow for accurate reporting. The depository maintains many layers of physical and electronic
security, as well as metal detection, proprietary systems, internal controls, legal protections and extensive “all
risk” precious metals storage and shipping insurance coverage. For privacy protection, the depository is never
provided with an account holder’s personal information.
CONCLUSION
Thousands of years ago, precious metals set a standard for wealth that endures today.
Once the myths of precious metals investing are overcome, the case becomes clear: Some allocation to
precious metals in a portfolio, whether it is protective, conservative, balanced, growth-oriented, or aggressive in
objective, has the capability of providing an attractive, competitive level of risk-adjusted total return.
Instead of being fear-based or unfamiliar, precious metals have as much to offer the modern investor as the
introduction of gold coins to the ancient world 2,500 years ago.
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© Copyright 2014 Equity Institutional®. All Rights Reserved.
Getting Real: Overcoming the Five
Myths of Precious Metals Investing
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jon Potts is the Managing Director of Delaware Depository™. Mr. Potts, a graduate of California State University,
has been a precious metals professional since 1981. He has held various trading, marketing, sales, and
management positions within the refining, manufacturing, brokerage, and banking sectors of the industry.
Prior to forming Delaware Depository™, Jon worked at Johnson Matthey Limited, an internationally recognized
refiner, Wilmington Trust, a major trust and wealth management firm, as well as other financial service firms. Jon
currently serves as a Director of the International Precious Metals Institute, Director and Past President of the
Silver Users Association, and member of London Bullion Market Association, Industry Council for Tangible Assets
and Retirement Industry Trust Association.
ABOUT DELAWARE DEPOSITORY
Delaware Depository™ has a proven track record of quickly facilitating the purchase and sale of physical metals
and is licensed by major commodity exchanges. Delaware Depository is a regulated trust company authorized
by law to store bullion held in IRAs.
ABOUT EQUITY INSTITUTIONAL
Equity Institutional partners with Delaware Depository in Wilmington, Delaware for high-security storage. Equity
Institutional is an industry leader in providing alternative investment custodial services to brokers, advisors and
sponsors. As part of Equity Trust, the company provides services to more than 10,000 financial professionals and
130,000 clients with $12 billion in assets under custody. Visit www.EquityInstitutional.com for more information.
1. http://news.morningstar.com/articlenet/SubmissionsArticle.aspx?submissionid=182318.xml&part=2
2. http://ngam.natixis.com/docs/225/403/US_Individual_Investor_Press_Release_and_Highlights.pdf and http://mms.businesswire.
com/media/20130917005157/en/382780/1/US_Chart_9_11_13.pdf?download=1
3. http://finance.yahoo.com/news/investors-looking-alternatives-growth-opportunities-140100153.html
4. http://www.investmentnews.com/article/20120217/FREE/120219926
5. http://www.wealthdaily.com/articles/who-owns-worlds-gold/2491
6. Source: GFMS Gold Survey 2013
7. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-01-10/china-seen-by-bloomberg-industries-boosting-bank-gold- reserves.html
8. https://www.dws-investments.com/EN/docs/retirement/advisors/ALT-RET-WHITE.pdf
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be construed as tax, legal or investment advice. Whenever making an investment decision, please consult with legal, tax or accounting
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