Table of Contents
Introduction to Gold:
Some believe that gold has no intrinsic worth; it is a barbarous relic that no longer possesses the monetary properties of the past. They argue that in today’s economic context, paper currency is the preferred medium of exchange and that gold’s primary value is as a raw element for jewelry.
Forget about gold and paper money. Some even believe that it’s the era of cryptocurrencies! Blockchain-based cryptocurrencies are the future and gold is a talk of the past is what many Millenials (Gen Y) and Gen Zs are thinking. To know more about Cryptocurrencies, CLICK HERE!
On the other hand, others argue that gold is a unique asset with several inherent features that make it vital for investors to maintain it in their portfolios. They think that investors have as many motives as there are ways to invest in gold.
The majority of people would agree that gold has always been valuable for all of these reasons – as a component of ornamental jewelry, as temporary money, and as an investment. However, in addition to these actual values, we would add another aspect of gold that, while less tangible, is just as real: its mystery. A large part of gold’s allure is its enigma.
Due to the Pandemic, Investors find gold as a safe haven and amongst the most favorable investment asset class to own to wave off the Inflationary pressure on Indians savings. And, Gold imports more than doubled since 2020 to $38 billion in the fiscal year ending in December 2021. Thus, the value of yellow metal has already gone up!
These gold imports have an effect on the country’s current account deficit. In the quarter ended September 30, 2021, the current account deficit stood at $9.6 billion.
This shows that Indians crave safety when the economy goes into a jerk! And, since importing is the only way Indians get their share of the gold. The importation of gold is weighing in on Rupee and making our Fiscal Deficit wider by the day.
Why do Indians prefer Gold Investment?
Since ancient times, gold has been worshipped in India as something more than a metal. And today, our country’s citizens own three times as much gold as the U.S treasury. America’s state treasury holds 8,133 tonnes of gold, whereas India’s homes own 25,000 tonnes. And the price of this gold is equal to 40% of India’s whole gross domestic product.
In fact, Indian households own over 11% of the world’s gold. That is more than the reserves of the USA, the IMF, Switzerland, and Germany put together.
Indians purchase gold because they believe it is the safest investment; gold is also ingrained in our culture, where it is referred to as “Stree Dhan” (a woman’s wealth).
We India’s buy Gold for their various properties including the ability to give return over the annual inflation rates. Gold has given an average annual return of over 10% since the early 70s.
Thus, proving to be one of the best assets to own in one’s retirement account. For it not only provides safety but also above-average returns to investors who prefer Capital safety.
In India, Gold is more than just an investment vehicle. It is a sentiment. Gold holds a significant influence on our culture and traditions. Hence, each and every household be it rich, middle class, or the poor, everyone will have at least a gram of gold with them.
People believe that if they are unemployed during terrible times, only gold will aid them.
It is still widely believed that even if your family abandoned you, your wealth in Gold would never abandon you. During their most difficult days, people pledge their gold in order to lift themselves out of their situation.
Around 30% of gold is used as an investment in this country. Gold is owned by central banks to the tune of 15%, with the remaining 7.5 percent used in electrical devices and microchips.
Whereas approximately 50% of gold is used to make jewelry. That is, gold serves a variety of functions, one of which is financial stability.
To know more about Gold, CLICK HERE!
So, how to Invest in Gold? What’s the Best Way to Invest in Gold?
Indians Gold Cravings!
We all can agree to the fact that Gold has been weighing in on the countries Fiscal deficit. But, we can’t deny the importance of gold on the Indian economy either. Especially, its cultural and traditional importance.
So, in order to answer the question, we have to search for options that could substitute gold investment without substituting gold.
The rationale for this is that if we assume again that gold bonds will attract the equivalent of 1,000 tonnes of annual gold import demand, this will result in a rupee equivalent of 1.5 lakh crore ($25 billion) in net redemption losses, not including interest, which will increase the fiscal deficit by a similar amount due to subscription proceeds not being fully invested in metallic gold.
Top 3 Best Ways to Invest in Gold:
Gold ETF
A Gold ETF is an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that seeks to replicate the price of actual gold. They are index-based passive investment vehicles that invest in gold bullion. Invest in Gold with the help of Gold ETF.
In a nutshell, gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are units that represent actual gold, which may be in paper or dematerialized form. Each unit of the Gold ETF is equivalent to one gram of gold and is backed by 24 carat gold. Gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) combine the freedom of stock investing with the simplicity of gold investing, and the outcome is the Gold ETF.
But, the problem here is that the gold ETF does not lower metal gold demand; rather, it replaces gold demand from individual metal gold investors with similar demand from a professionally managed gold ETF.
Govt can’t make its citizens not buy gold. Instead, they have come up with a new strategy. Thus comes, the “Sovereign Gold Bond” & “Gold Saving Account”.
Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB)
SGBs are gold-denominated government securities. They serve as a substitute for physical gold. The issuance price must be paid in cash, and the bonds will be redeemed in cash at maturity. The Reserve Bank of India issues the bond on behalf of the government of India.
As far as SGBs are considered, they are 100% safe and reliable but they are not backed by physical gold. Meaning, if you buy SGB, you’ll be allotted with the bond, the bonds are denominated in actually gold and are freely allowed to be used as collateral. But, SGB’s are not backed by gold. So this serves the purpose for both the investors and the nation.
SGB is one of the best ways to Invest in Gold.
As an Investment note, Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) offers an Investable instrument where you can buy Gold bonds from a DEMAT account & such platforms. SGB offers 2.5% Interest per annum on deposits.
Tax benefits have also been offered to Investors preferring SGB. The Capital gains tax has been eliminated on the redemption of SGB. And, Long-term capital gains arising from the transfer of a bond will be subject to indexation benefits.
Gold Saving Account
With Gold Saving Account, customers can open gold accounts with banks and deposit funds on a regular basis. Customers can withdraw the deposit at any time at the current gold price. This is projected to lower investor demand for physical gold.
Just like a normal savings account, under a gold savings account, Indians will be able to save money in gold and take part in the organized and formal gold trade.
Gold Savings Account offers Indian individuals to Invest in Gold in the cheapest & safest manner.
Conclusion:
India is the second-largest consumer of gold after China. In a span of 5 years, between 2016 and 2020, gold imports accounted for 86 percent of India’s gold supply, while recycling contributed to 13% and mining accounted for just 1%.
We are dependent on Gold imports.
Imagine this, Indians work and make a living, and out of the hard-earned money, they buy consumables and the balance left is savings. If these savings are invested in such assets which are imported into India, an asset that doesn’t do much but sit on our shelf and shine.
An asset that’s weighing in on countries fiscal deficit and depreciate the worth of rupees.
At the same time, Gold has always come in handy to most Indian Middle and lower-middle-class families. It’s a lifesaver to most families. We can’t deny gold’s importance amongst Indians.
So, to balance between these two thin lines wherein, import is sustained whilst the importance of gold is not disturbed.
The only visible option is to not buy gold directly but to invest in instruments that buy gold on our behalf, providing all the features gold does with utmost safety and assurance.
Give Digital gold a thought. Avoid Physical gold unless absolutely necessary.
To know more about Options outside Gold Investing, CLICK HERE!
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