For the past half-decade, most people have built a word association between “investing” and “pain.” The U.S. stock market has been northing short of unstable, employment levels have only slightly improved, and the housing market continues to be a source of major uncertainty and financial pain among those who decided to invest their money in property rather than in things like precious metals or rare coins. It is worth noting, though, that those who did choose to make investments in precious metals are among the most satisfied investors in today’s climate.

The reason for that satisfaction is simple: While the broader stock market has suffered from downturn after downturn, the market for precious metals has been soaring to new heights and setting entirely new records. Gold, in particular, has been a darling of the market for the past decade or so. It has been joined in recent years by the likes of platinum, palladium, and especially silver, making precious metals an even better investment strategy.

Before pursuing precious metals as a new option in a portfolio, though, consumers should understand that the market does fluctuate and that certain conditions at the Federal Reserve might impact the overall performance of gold, silver, platinum, and other precious metals. By understanding the future outlook of this investment, as well as the factors that determine its worth, a more sound strategy can be pursued at the very beginning. Continue reading →