Gold and the corresponding exchange traded products have been mostly disappointing this year, but some investors believe bullion is a top idea for 2019.
“For the second year in a row, investors remain optimistic that gold will shine in 2019 as they search for stability in an environment of growing uncertainty and volatility, according to a survey conducted by international investment firm Legg Mason,” reports Kitco News.
Gold exchange traded products, including the SPDR Gold Shares (NYSEArca: GLD), posted modest gains Wednesday after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said interest rates are close to “neutral.”
“Interest rates are still low by historical standards, and they remain just below the broad range of estimates of the level that would be neutral for the economy — that is, neither speeding up nor slowing down growth,” said Powell.
Fed Watch for Gold Investors
Much of the near-term thesis for gold revolves around the Fed’s plans for interest rates. The Fed has boosted borrowing costs three times this year and market observers widely expect a fourth rate hike in December. However, President Trump has not been shy about saying he would like to see the Fed slow its pace of rate increases.
The Legg Mason Survey indicates “23% of investors said that they see gold as one of the best investment opportunities next year, unchanged from 2017. The firm said that it contacted 16,810 investors for its survey,” according to Kitco.