Whether or Not to Join the Gold Rush

Newsweek

Newsweek

As a physician-investor, your eye hasmost likely caught the headlines broadcastingthat the value per ounce of gold ishitting 25-year highs. And like many people,you may be tempted by claims thatbuying gold is a safe haven or an inflationhedge, having doubled in value in lessthan 2 years. Taking that into consideration,a recent article in advisescaution before jumping on that bandwagon.An expert quoted expects the weakdollar to push the price of gold up furtherby next year, but he still feels the goldmarket has gotten carried away. And interms of an inflation hedge, TreasuryInflation-Protected Securities are morelikely to match the inflation rate. Thoughgold may hold its buying power over thelong term, it doesn't always protectagainst inflation in the short term. If youare still interested in investing in gold,suggests buying one of two"gold pegged" exchange-traded funds,iShares COMEX Gold Trust (IAU) or thestreetTracks Gold Shares (GLD), for theprice of a stock trade and 0.4% of yourinvestment in annual expenses. Or youcan buy actual bullion at EverBank.com.