Exploring the Significance of Gold in History and the Economy

A couple weeks ago, we posted an article about silver as an investment. Now it’s time for gold.

Gold has captivated humanity for millennia, with its allure dating back to ancient civilizations. As shiny nuggets were first discovered, gold quickly became a symbol of wealth and power. The scarcity and distinctive properties of gold made it highly prized. This led to the adoption of gold as currency by various cultures across the globe. Gold played a crucial role in shaping economies and trade networks, facilitating commerce and influencing political dynamics.

The California Gold Rush of the mid-19th century marked a pivotal moment in gold’s history. The discovery of gold nuggets at Sutter’s Mill in 1848 sparked a large migration to the American West, drawing people from all walks of life in search of fortune. The influx of prospectors fueled rapid economic growth and transformed California into a growing economy. 

Gold is often regarded as a hedge against inflation due to its historical track record of preserving wealth during times of economic uncertainty. When inflation rises, the purchasing power of fiat currencies decreases. This leads investors to seek assets that can retain their value. Gold has demonstrated its ability to act as a store of value over centuries, making it a popular choice for investors looking to protect their wealth from the devastating effects of inflation.

During periods of high inflation, the price of gold tends to increase as investors flock to it as a safe haven asset. Gold’s scarcity and tangible nature contribute to its appeal as a hedge against inflation. Unlike fiat currencies, which can be subject to manipulation by central banks. The gold supply is limited, providing a natural defense against currency devaluation. Additionally, gold has inherent value and is not reliant on the performance of financial markets, making it a reliable hedge during times of economic turbulence.

Gold’s status as a globally recognized currency adds to its appeal as an inflation hedge. This universal acceptance of gold allows its liquidity as a hedge against inflation in various economic environments. Central banks and institutional investors often allocate a portion of their portfolios to gold to mitigate the effects of inflation and safeguard their wealth over the long term.

Some of the major U.S. gold mining companies are:

CompanyCompany SymbolPrice to BookPEGPEPrice to SalesForward PEYield
Coeur Mining IncCDE1.7NAna2.216.260
i-80 Gold CorpIAUX0.89NANA7.24NA0
Newmont CorpNEM1.550.79NA3.8214.482.56%
Novagold Resources Inc.NG25.84NANANANA0.00%
Royal Gold, Inc.RGLD2.797.4933.6913.3222.461.32%
SSR Mining IncSSRM0.32NANA0.7615.55.45%

Throughout history, gold has retained its status as a safe haven asset and a hedge against economic uncertainty. Its value surged during times of crisis, such as wars, financial crises, and geopolitical tensions. In the modern era, gold continues to play a crucial role in investment portfolios and central bank reserves, providing stability in volatile markets. Its timeless appeal as a store of value ensures that gold remains a cornerstone of global finance and culture.

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Disclosure: Author had no positions in any of the above at the time the article was written.

Top Inflation Hedge Gold Mining Stocks

by Fred Fuld III

It was just back in September when I wrote the article Top Gold Mining Stocks, almost six months to the day. In the article, I listed seven gold mining companies. The following shows the returns for those stocks.

Stock Symbol 9/13/22 3/10/22 Gain/Loss
AngloGold Ashanti Limited AU 15.5 25.73 66%
Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc CMCL 12.36 13.49 9%
DRDGOLD Limited DRD 9.15 10.14 11%
Gold Fields Limited GFI 8.64 16.69 93%
Harmony Gold Mining Company HMY 3.28 5.41 65%
Kinross Gold Corporation KGC 5.75 5.66 -2%
Sibanye Stillwater Limited SBSW 13.61 18.32 35%
AVERAGE 40%

As you can see, there was only one loser in the bunch, Kinross Gold (KGC) which was down 2%. However, all the others were up substantially. One, Gold Fields (GFT), almost doubled. The overall average return was 40%; not too shabby for a six month period.

Gold an Inflation Hedge & Recession Hedge?

Some studies have shown that gold may not track inflation during short time frames, but over long periods of time, gold has been considered an inflation hedge and a hedge against a downturn in the economy.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “gold prices can act as an indicator of the health of the economy. A rise in the price of gold may be a signal that the economy is struggling. As a result, in times of either a crisis or inflation, many investors turn to gold to protect their principal. By contrast, in times of economic stability, investors are more likely to turn to more speculative investments, such as stocks, bonds, and real estate. During these times, the price for gold often declines.”

(What is surprising about this statement is that stocks, bonds, and real estate are considered “speculative investments”. Does that make gold a “safe investment”?)

Top Gold Mining Stocks

So now that gold has started to move up, and recently broke the $2000 an ounce price barrier, what gold mining stocks have solid ratios now.

There are currently four gold mining companies that have trailing price to earnings ratios of less than 25, forward price to earnings ratios of less than 25, and yields above 2%. You will notice that only one stock from the old list, Agnico, made the cut for the new list.

Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (AEM)

Agnico Eagle is a Canadian based mining company with mines in Canada, Sweden, and Finland. The stock has a trailing P/E ratio of 23.3, a forward P/E ratio of 24.33, and pays a yield of 2.28%. Annual earnings per share growth for the last five years is 79%.

AngloGold Ashanti Limited (AU)

AngloGold, based in Johannesburg, South Africa, has mines in Africa, North America, South America, and Australia. The stock trades at 16.9 times trailing earnings and 12 times forward earnings. The dividend payout rate is 2.11%. Annual earnings per share growth for the last five years is 97%.

B2Gold Corp. (BTG)

The Canada based company, B2Gold, has three operating mines in Mali, the Philippines, and Namibia. The stock has a very favorable P/E ratio of 10.7 and forward P/E of 10.4. Even the price to earnings growth ratio is a commendable 0.53. Annual earnings per share growth for the last five years is 33%.

Sibanye Stillwater Limited (SBSW)

Sibanye is a South African company that has mines in South Africa, the United States, Zimbabwe, Canada, and Argentina. The stock has an excellent price to earnings ratio of 6.2, with a forward P/E of 12.2. Annual earnings per share growth for the last five years is 41%.

Maybe one of these mining stocks can provide your portfolio with a pot of gold.

Disclosure: Author owns BTG