All That Glitters: Debunking the Myth of Gold as a Superior Investment

Gold has long been considered a symbol of wealth and prosperity, especially in cultures like India where
it plays a significant role in rituals and traditions. While it’s tempting to view this precious metal as a safe
haven or a lucrative investment opportunity, the reality is far different. Here’s why, when compared to
stocks, gold could be 11 times worse as an investment avenue.

Historical Returns

A glance at historical data reveals a stark difference between the returns on gold and stocks. While the
stock market has consistently outperformed gold over the long term, gold has often only kept pace with
inflation. When adjusted for inflation, the real return on gold is frequently near zero, a far cry from the double-digit returns you can potentially achieve with a well-diversified stock portfolio.

Lack of Dividends and Cash Flow

Unlike stocks, gold doesn’t pay dividends or generate cash flow. It sits in a vault (or your home), not
producing any income. On the other hand, many stocks not only appreciate in value but also pay dividends, offering dual avenues for wealth generation.

Market Volatility

One of the arguments in favour of gold is its supposed stability during market downturns. However,
gold’s price can be just as volatile, if not more so, than stocks. Its value often fluctuates based on external factors like currency devaluation or political instability, making it a less reliable investment than it seems.

No Intrinsic Value

Stocks represent ownership in a company, and their value is linked to the company’s performance and
growth prospects. Gold, on the other hand, has no intrinsic value. Its price is based solely on market
perception, making it a speculative investment.

Storage and Insurance Costs

Owning physical gold incurs additional costs such as storage and insurance, which can eat into any potential gains. Stocks, being digital assets, do not have this drawback.

Liquidity Concerns

While it may seem that gold is highly liquid, converting it into cash without losing value can be a
complicated process, involving assay tests and purity checks. Stocks can be quickly and easily sold on the
open market.

Tax Inefficiency

In many jurisdictions, gold is subject to capital gains tax, which can be higher than the tax on stock dividends. This further erodes its potential for high returns.

Economic Contribution

Investing in stocks supports businesses, innovation, and job creation. Gold does not contribute to economic productivity in the same way.

Diversification Challenges

While you can build a diversified stock portfolio to manage risk, gold is a single asset class that exposes
you to specific set of risks, including market, political, and economic.

Missed Opportunities

By parking your money in gold, you could be missing out on the opportunity to invest in emerging sectors and innovative companies that offer the potential for high returns.

Emotional Investing

Finally, the lure of gold is often tied to emotional or cultural factors, rather than sound investment principles. This can cloud judgement and lead to poor financial decisions.

While gold may hold sentimental or cultural value, its merits as an investment asset are questionable, especially when compared to stocks. The numbers speak for themselves, and they suggest that if you’re
looking for long-term wealth generation, stocks are a far superior option. So the next time you’re
tempted by the glitter of gold, remember that not all that glitters is a sound investment.