about AP to be added …
Following a volatile ride, the coming week promises to be an interesting one for gold investors.
Leaders from the Group of Eight industrial nations and major developing nations including China will meet in Italy from July 8 to 10. The wide-ranging agenda includes discussion on the state of the world economy and financial regulation.
China has requested discussion on the position of the U. S. dollar as the world’s global reserve currency and expressed interest in using the International Monetary Fund’s Special Drawing Rights as a super-sovereign currency. Developed member nations are however downplaying this issue.
Separately, the U. S. Treasury will hold four auctions next week to sell $73 billion of notes, bonds and inflation-protected securities as President Obama pushes the nation’s marketable debt to a massive $6.45 trillion. Given China’s standing as the largest holder of U. S. Treasury debt, currency as well as gold traders will be keenly watching developments from the Group of Eight meeting. If recent market action serves as any guide, gold will likely rise first before paring gains.
Here are some ways to play gold depending on your risk tolerance and investment time horizon. While gold bullion is preferred by conservative investors, aggressive traders try to swing for the fences with leveraged or short securities.
Gold Bullion ETFs
ETFs that hold gold bullion like SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) and iShares COMEX Gold Trust (IAU) allow your investments to track the spot price of gold without worrying about theft of and insurance for the metal.
Gold Futures ETNs
ETFs like PowerShares DB Gold Fund (DGL) allow you to own gold futures instead of bullion. Such ETFs automatically rollover futures contracts and save you the trouble.
Gold Mining Mutual Funds and ETFs
Mutual funds and ETFs that invest in gold mining companies offer you the convenience of investing in a diversified basket of such companies. Ownership of gold mining shares often offers more upside potential with higher downside risk than ownership of bullion. Fidelity Select Gold (FSAGX), First Eagle Gold (FEGIX), and USAA Precious Metals & Minerals (USAGX) are examples of some mutual funds that invest in gold. Market Vectors Gold Miners (GDX) and PowerShares Global Gold & Precious Metals (PSAU) are ETFs that invest in gold mining companies.
Leveraged Mutual Funds, ETFs, and ETNs
Aggressive investors have a wide range of investment choices. Mutual funds like ProFunds Precious Metals UltraSector (PMPSX), ETFs like ProShares Ultra Gold (UGL) and ETNs like DB Gold Double Long (DGP) offer leveraged exposure to gold. Such leveraged investments are usually not suitable for buy-and-hold investors.
Short Mutual Funds, ETFs, and ETNs
Mutual funds like Short Precious Metals ProFunds (SPPSX), ETFs like ProShares UltraShort Gold (GLL) and ETNs like DB Gold Short (DGZ) and DB Gold Double Short (DZZ) provide opportunities to profit from a decline in the price of gold.