Is It Too Late to Invest in Gold? with Max Belmont - FEG Insight Bridge
Apr 2, 2025
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Max Belmont, a seasoned portfolio manager specializing in gold at First Eagle Investments, joins Greg Dowling, Chief Investment Officer at FEG Investment Advisors. They discuss gold's appeal as a hedge against inflation, contrasting it with digital assets like Bitcoin. The conversation highlights gold’s historical significance, its role as a safe haven during economic turmoil, and strategies for incorporating it into investment portfolios. They also touch on the growing demand for gold amid rising global tensions, underscoring its enduring value.
Gold serves as a stable hedge during economic downturns and inflation, offering a safe haven when traditional assets underperform.
Contrasting with Bitcoin, gold demonstrates distinct behaviors that make it a reliable risk-off asset during market volatility.
Deep dives
The Role of Gold in Portfolio Management
Gold is utilized in investment portfolios primarily for its potential hedge characteristics against economic downturns and inflation. Having a history of providing stability in times of uncertainty, it acts as a safe haven, particularly when traditional asset classes such as stocks are underperforming. Max Belmont from First Eagle Investments emphasizes that gold's unique attributes, such as its scarcity and permanence, make it an enduring store of value. The long-term orientation of gold investments is shaped by historical events, like the hyperinflation in Germany, which influences current investment strategies.
Gold vs. Other Assets: A Detailed Comparison
Gold exhibits distinct behaviors compared to other commodities and is often compared to Bitcoin, deemed 'digital gold' by some. While both assets have finite supplies, their responsiveness to market conditions differs significantly; gold tends to act as a stabilizing force during economic turmoil, whereas Bitcoin often mirrors the volatility of growth stocks. Historical data illustrates that during market downturns, gold provides diversification and preserves value, unlike Bitcoin, which has shown substantial price swings during such periods. This characteristic makes gold a better risk-off asset while Bitcoin can be perceived more as a risk-on asset.
Central Banks and Global Demand for Gold
The demand for gold has surged recently, influenced by geopolitical tensions, especially highlighted by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which has prompted central banks to increase their gold reserves. Central banks that were once net sellers of gold have now shifted to being significant buyers, reflecting a growing desire to secure assets outside of the U.S. dollar framework. This change indicates a strategic pivot towards gold as a reliable asset class, amidst rising global concerns over currency devaluation and economic instability. Such shifts in central banking policy could further elevate gold's status in the global financial system.
Investing in Gold Miners: Risks and Rewards
Investing in gold miners offers an alternative exposure to gold but comes with specific risks associated with the industry's cyclical nature. Belmont highlights the importance of selecting resilient mining companies that can withstand volatile market conditions and maintain strong balance sheets. Factors such as acquisition costs, mine life, and management quality are critical in determining the attractiveness of mining investments relative to physical gold. By focusing on valuation and operational resilience, investors can identify opportunities within the gold mining sector that complement their broader gold investment strategies.
Greg Dowling of FEG interviews Max Belmont, a gold specialist and portfolio manager at First Eagle Investments. Greg and Max discuss the historical, philosophical, and practical reasons for owning gold.
Topics covered include:
Where does gold’s reputation as a safe haven come from, and why it trades differently than other commodities.
How gold differs from other asset classes including Bitcoin, which is sometimes referred to as digital gold.
How we should think about gold when including it in our investment portfolios.