Gold price hits record high - should you invest in the precious metal?
Aug 23, 2024
auto_awesome
Tanya Jefferies, a financial markets expert, Georgie Frost, a personal finance journalist, and Lee Boyce, a financial analyst, discuss gold hitting record highs amid economic uncertainty. They dive into the factors influencing this surge, the volatility of gold investments, and the implications for households facing rising energy bills this winter. The trio also tackles the legal intricacies of lending money to friends while intoxicated and the potential challenges of living next to a property converted for student housing. It's a fascinating blend of finance and real-life dilemmas!
Gold's record high price, driven by inflation fears and interest rate cuts, necessitates careful investment strategies to mitigate volatility.
Rising energy bills, exacerbated by geopolitical factors and the withdrawal of winter fuel payments, will significantly strain households this winter.
Deep dives
Record Gold Prices and Investment Insights
Gold prices recently reached a record high of over $2,500 an ounce, driven mainly by inflation trends and expectations of interest rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve. It serves as a hedge against inflation, appealing to many investors due to growing concerns about a potential recession. Investing in gold can be approached in various ways, including purchasing physical gold, gold mining shares, or exchange-traded commodities (ETCs) that are backed by physical gold. Experts recommend that investors allocate no more than 5-10% of their portfolio to gold, as its price can be volatile and unpredictable.
Rising Energy Bills and Financial Strain
Energy bills are set to rise again, with the new price cap announced at £1,717, which is a 10% increase compared to previous levels. This increase comes amidst reports indicating that many households will be forced to turn off heating and hot water to cope with rising expenses, particularly affecting low-income families and those with children. The rise in bills is primarily due to fluctuating wholesale energy prices, which are influenced by global geopolitical factors. The situation is compounded by the removal of winter fuel payments for many pensioners, further stressing households that are already dealing with significant inflation pressures.
Inherited State Pensions and Miscommunication
Many widows and widowers may be missing out on inherited state pensions due to misinformation from Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) staff. In certain circumstances, individuals can inherit a portion of their late spouse's state pension, but many have been wrongly told that they are not eligible. The confusion stems from changes in pension laws post-April 2016 and the specifics of each individual case, making it crucial for affected individuals to verify their eligibility through reliable sources. Ongoing investigations aim to address and clarify these discrepancies in pension entitlements.
Annuity Market Trends and Considerations
Recent interest rate cuts have influenced annuity rates, leading to concerns that the best offers may have peaked. Annuities, which provide guaranteed income in retirement, are linked to government bonds, meaning they typically perform better during periods of rising interest rates. While current annuity rates are relatively favorable compared to historical lows, retirees are advised to carefully consider their options before committing, as annuities represent irreversible decisions. Protections such as guarantee periods and inflation adjustments can be built into annuities, but these features may affect the maximum income rates offered.
Gold has hit record highs this week and has rocketed so far this year. What’s driving the price and how do you invest?
This week, Tanya Jefferies, Georgie Frost and Lee Boyce turn their attention to the precious metal – a notoriously volatile investment, but yet seen as a safe haven.
Energy bills will be back on the up, with the new Ofgem price cap announced for October. Is it worth fixing before the hike comes in?
And one in four are expected to struggle this winter with their energy bills – just as the new Winter Fuel Payment is taken away for millions of households.
We bust some myths on inherited state pension and ask how DWP can be dishing out incorrect information and also question whether annuity deals have peaked.
Plus we run the rule over two juicy reader questions. Firstly, what are your rights if you drunkenly lend money to a friend?
Secondly, what can you do about a property next door being converted into an HMO with six students?
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode