sell off taking place?, page-12

Scanbox,

That really depends on whether you hold gold stocks, gold futures, or physical gold. Personally, I prefer the last of these, as does the US Federal Reserve.

Reality though demonstrates that gold would need to climb well above its current levels in order to return investors (with a 10-year lookback horizon) with a "real" return on their investment.

Far from being an effective store of value, gold has generally failed to hold its value against most currencies, precious metals, and other measures of value over the last 10 -20 years.

But, then again, for those who bought gold (etc) when it was in the $270 range, are now looking at >40% return for their efforts over the last 18 months. And, of course, the chief beneficiary out ofall this has been the US Federal Reserve (and, as the World Gold Council has suggested, the Russian Central Bank).

But, for now, we will probably get a rush of gold prospects seeking listing on the ASX (and elsewhere), most of whom will never turn a profit.

Nothing like gold fever, therefore, to trigger the imagination, and to lighten one's pockets. Time for me, therefore, to turn counter-cyclical (as will the Hedge Fubnds, very, very soon).