Nightmare Gold Scenario
- A reader’s concern
- My must-read thesis on gold investing
- The gold investment with 1,000% upside
Yesterday I wrote about the prospect of the U.S. Federal Government seizing or outlawing the private ownership of gold bullion.
In short, my conclusion was that it would be too difficult and unconstructive for the government to seize or outlaw gold.
And perhaps I simply don’t have the remarkably creative mind of a revenue-strapped politician - but some readers wrote in with some other scenarios that I hadn’t considered.
Assaf K. wrote:
“Governments don't have to seize gold to make it an unpalatable investment. They can increase taxes on gains from precious metals transactions. Alternatively, they can impose various fees and commissions on any such transactions. I wouldn't disparage the creativity of Obama et al. when it comes to capital controls.”
That’s definitely a realistic scenario. Already, capital gains from gold and silver are taxed at an individual’s personal income tax rate, rather than at the lower capital gains tax rate. With income taxes due to rise next year, it wouldn’t surprise me if President Obama and his Democrat led Congress saw fit to raise taxes on gains made in gold and silver, and otherwise introduce a variety of Orwellian measures to stymie the lure of investing in precious metals.
From a strictly utilitarian perspective, a revenue grab from gold’s “increase” in price makes total sense. But I want to remind Assaf and other readers of my own humble thesis about gold. I don’t buy gold (and silver) to “make” money. Economists on both sides of the gold argument are quick to point out that gold does not bear interest, nor does it produce income or cash flow or truly appreciate in value. Warren Buffett reminds us that “Price is what you pay; value is what you get.”
The price of gold changes with regard to currency fluctuations, but the value stays about the same.
Of course, there are situations that cause the price of gold to increase more than inflation in the currencies it’s priced in. But I’m not trying to speculate on the price of gold.
I buy gold and silver because it’s a store of value that stays relatively the same no matter what happens to dollars, euros, yen or any other currency. From a fundamental perspective, owning gold and silver is a way to preserve wealth, not grow it.
So investing in physical gold and silver for the gains doesn’t make much sense. And if the government wants to impose fees and commissions on such transactions, I see that as bullish for precious metals. Right now, there are so many ways to get exposure to physical gold and silver, that it would be difficult if not impossible to close all of the loopholes.
I buy gold and silver stocks for the exact opposite reason that I buy the physical metals. Whereas I buy bullion and keep it safe at hand for safety and reliability, I buy gold stocks as a speculation that they will skyrocket.
Junior precious metals companies are notoriously risky investments. But if you catch a rising star in this sector, you can multiply your initial investment by ten or even a hundred-fold. It’s not the type of investment you want to back up the truck on - but at the same time, even a small stake gives you a chance to significantly impact your net-worth.
Whereas gold bullion is fungible and widely accepted across the borders of countries, and throughout the history of mankind, junior gold stocks, again - are the complete opposite.
Most junior gold stocks are complete garbage. It’s vital to buy the best companies, with the best management, with the most cash and the best resources. Only these companies have the ability and likelihood to multiply your investment many times over.
Let me give you one quick example of a company that I think could return 1,000%-10,000% gains.
It’s a small North American company located in a remote mountain region. It has a market capitalization of about $200 million - but it has the mining rights to over $20 billion worth of proven gold reserves. If they mine just 5% of that gold, it will yield them $1 billion at current gold prices. Those sales would be quadruple their current market cap.
So if you’re wondering how a junior gold mining company can return between ten and 100 times your investment, imagine if they mine 50% of that gold at the same time gold prices rise another 50%. Their fair market value alone would go up 50-fold.
The best part about this company is that they’ve already proven their profitability. Their mines are currently in production, and last year they produced 70,000 ounces of gold - that’s $84 million worth of the yellow metal. This year they expect to produce even more.
This company is my favorite in the sector, by far. At less than $4 a share, you can buy a significant number of shares for just a few thousand dollars - and if they get even a fraction of their proven reserves out of the ground, you could make some serious gains.
If you’d like to hear more about this company, I strongly encourage you to read the full write-up by clicking here now.
Have a good weekend,
Kevin McElroy
Editor
Resource Prospector
