Is gold and hard commodities safe bet during recession?


Posted by: Invos Research
Published on: January 14, 2023
Is gold and hard commodities safe bet during recession?

Investing in gold during a recession can be considered a safe option for some investors as gold is often seen as a safe haven asset. This means that gold is less affected by economic downturns and market fluctuations compared to other assets, such as stocks and bonds.

During a recession, the value of stocks and bonds tend to decrease while the value of gold usually increases or remains stable. This is because investors tend to flock to gold as a safe haven during economic uncertainty times and market volatility.

However, it's important to note that investing in gold is not without risk. The price of gold can get impacted due to variety of factors such aschanges in interest rates, currency fluctuations, and global demand. Additionally, gold doesn't generate any income, it's just a store of value and its price is based on supply and demand.

Overall, investing in gold during a recession can be a safe option for some investors as a hedge against economic uncertainty, but it's important to understand the potential risks and rewards before making any investment decisions. As always, it's a good idea to diversify your portfolio, to spread out your risk among different assets classes and not to put all your eggs in one basket.

Commodity assets can be broadly categorized into two main types: hard commodities and soft commodities.

  1. Hard commodities are natural resources that are mined or extracted, such as:
  • Precious metals like gold, silver, and platinum
  • Industrial metals like copper, aluminum, and nickel
  • Energy resources like oil, natural gas, and coal
  1. Soft commodities are agricultural products such as:
  • Grains like wheat, corn, and rice
  • Livestock like cattle, pork, and chicken
  • Softs like coffee, sugar, and cocoa
  • Fibers like cotton and wool.

Each type of commodity asset has its own unique characteristics and can be affected by different factors such as weather, geopolitical events, and currency fluctuations. Hard commodities tend to be more sensitive to global economic growth and industrial demand, while soft commodities are more affected by weather and crop yields.

There are also other types of commodity assets, such as water and timber, which are considered "rare commodities" and can be harder to trade.

It's crucial to understand the different types of commodity assets and how they may be affected by various market conditions before making any investment decisions.

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