Thursday, July 14, 2011

Individual Retirement Account - A fabulous plan

Those who are on the verge of retirement normally start planning long before they actually retire. They will have several options like investing in the Fixed Deposit, investing in shares/debenture, investing in real estate etc. Yet another form of investment is from Goldstar wherein the investment is made in Gold and Silver. As a matter of fact, Gold and Silver are the two metals which have are most popular to buy and put into an IRA. Even during the recession, the price of gold and silver have increased in value.

As compared to Gold and Silver the stock market is quite unpredictable and the prices of individual shares may or may not register any increase. The real estate market is of course predictable. But the investor has to invest substantial money in it. Further, in order to redeem the investment, the investor has to sell the entire property. Therefore if the investor has need for a small amount of money, then he has to sell the entire property. On the contrary he can enter the bullion market with minimum dollar amount. Therefore, buying Gold and Silver is more liquid.

What is Precious Metals IRA?

The IRA (Individual’s Retirement Plan) is a plan supported by ITM Trading. Under the plan, the individual with acquire a specified amount in Bullion (Gold or Silver). The individual will get the appropriate quantity of Gold and Silver. Once the individual purchases this precious metal, the company will ship it directly to the Goldstar account. Whenever the person is in need of funds, all that he has to do is call ITM Trading who will buy the gold from the individual at the prevailing market rate.

Authenticity:

ITM Trading’s IRA is approved under the US law. The gold issued by the ITM Trading to the individual as ‘proof coin’ are minted in a state of the art mint under the strict supervision of experts. The proof coin undergoes several tests. Images of the coin are also taken and they are securely wrapped in plastic and then placed in a velvet box. In case the individual desires, he can leave the coin with a third party custodian who will hold the coin on behalf the individual.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

How To Buy Gold

Gold has established itself to be worthwhile for those who wish to diversify their portfolio. This is mainly because this precious metal has an intrinsic value and it is a solid asset that you can physically own and grasp in your own hand.

The Simple Steps To Buying Gold

Step 1:

There are different kinds of gold that can be used as portfolio diversifier and if you wish to know more about it then you can talk to a ITM Trading Account Executive by calling 1-888-OWN-GOLD. We would also gladly provide you with an Gold Information Kit, absolutely free.

Step 2:

Evaluate the Purchase Policies and Risk Disclosure booklet provided by ITM Trading to help you decide on your first purchase.

Choose whether you prefer self storage or storage provided by a separate depository. (A few restrictions may be imposed when choosing the storage option.) Verify your preferred option as well as the mode of payment with our Client Services Representative.

Step 3: You are done! It's that easy.

If you wish to know more about buying gold coins and the different options, you can view the ITM Trading silver and gold catalogue within the free gold information kit.

The Required Forms

To get started, the first thing that you should do is fill out the form for the Account and Storage Agreement. Remember to read and understand the risk disclosure information as well as the state refund policies. Once that is completed you can call our Account Executive and start buying precious metals.

If you want to know more information about buying gold and other precious metals you can submit a Request for Information.

Payment Options

ITM Trading accepts different payment options such as:

- Cashier’s Check
- Bank Wire
- Personal Check

Thursday, June 9, 2011

The Stability of Gold Even In Times Of Debt

Americans have become deep in debt in so many ways for the last 3 decades. The debt brought about by the irresponsible use of credit cards has reached a level where the United States has negative savings rating. A lot of Americans are buying so many things on credit. They buy things that they do not even use. Their debt piles up and it becomes impossible for them to pay off their debt. In the 1990s, most Americans paid for their daily living expenses with their credit cards and used their trading stocks and cash assets in the internet trade. The trend eventually ended and a lot of wealth was lost.

Credit card debt can bury you alive. As the debt grows, the interest also grows. As time passes, your debt also grows bigger. It can reach a point where the amount you are paying each month is only enough to cover the interest on your debt. It is almost impossible to pay off such a huge debt unless you win the lottery.

The nation is buried deep in national debts and deficits. Many administrations have begun programs with no funding at all. The government has also acquired weapons, aircrafts and sea vessels to modernize the armed forces but they were all acquired through credit. The debt of the nation will be passed on from generation to generation. The children of your children will grow up paying the debt that has accumulated generations before them. The only problem is that as the years go by the interest on that debt is also growing. The interest alone is adding billions of dollars to your liabilities. The government has made a useless attempt at offsetting all this by printing large quantities of money. The problem is that, the high circulation of money has lowered the value of the US dollar, making the nation even poorer.

In times of economic instability, there is one thing that remains stable and that is gold. Even as the value of the US dollar has plummeted, the value of gold has risen. If inflation is sky-high and the value of the dollar hits rock bottom, the value of gold will soar. This has been the same for thousands of years.

Instead of buying things that you do not really need, buy gold coins instead. The value of a car depreciates over time but the value of gold rises as time passes by. Buying gold is the best way that you can protect your future as well as the future of your children.

The Basic Fundamentals Of Gold

If you plan to buy gold coins, it is important that you have a clear understanding of the gold market. The gold market is the one that mainly dictates the price and movement of gold. The specific factors that affect the price of gold are supply and demand.

The supply of gold is normally low. Gold has been mined since the ancient times which contribute to its scarcity. Another factor is that gold nuggets are not just picked up from the ground like pebbles. They have to be mined several hundred feet below the ground. Out of ten tons of ore, you can only get an ounce of gold. A lot of men have searched for their fortunes in gold but only a few have succeeded. The short supply of gold has made it even more valuable. There are gold mines all over the world but the demand for gold currently surpasses the supply that is available. The most productive mines in the world are in the United States, Russia, Australia and South Africa.

Freshly mined gold is not the sole source of the world’s gold supply. The gold that has been mined many years ago can still be used. Gold is a lasting and precious mineral. It can last forever and can be used over and over again.

One of the sources of existing gold is the official reserves of the government as well as private organizations. These gold reserves have been sold over the years and it was expected to stabilize or even lower the price of gold but that never happened. In the late 1990s, the Bank of England sold their gold reserves at $300 per ounce. After they have sold their gold reserves, the price of gold in the market more than tripled. The International Monetary Fund or the IMF sold off part of their gold reserves at the same time the Bank of England did. Financial institutions cannot even predict the right timing in selling their gold.

The supply may be low but the demand for gold has always been high. One major cause for the high demand for gold in the market is the jewellery-making industry. Gold jewellery is very much in demand in Asian countries such as China and India. Gold jewellery is not only a precious accessory in these Asian countries but they are also considered as a medium for trade. In the Western countries, gold jewellery is acquired for its value and beauty.

Gold is very strong, malleable and is an excellent conductor of electricity which is why it is used as an industrial metal. It is used in making electrical and computer parts. They are also used as lining for the cockpits of modern military aircrafts.

Understanding Gold Futures Market

The futures market is usually deemed a high risk investment but that is quite relative; others may view futures as a hedge against fluctuating and uncontrollable pricing.

Futures refer to the obligation of buying or selling a committed amount of commodity at a preset price on a particular day.

A gold futures contract is really a bet on gold price trends and has nothing to do with the physical metal, which does not concern the trader. Hence, futures trading is really a speculation rather than an investment.

Some traders view futures as a risk inhibitor. Gold mining firms that sell gold at some fixed price can hedge themselves from falling gold prices with futures trading. But many futures traders reap huge profits while being mindful of the risks attached. Those who wish to indulge in futures trading must be ready to take on those risks.

The saying is sure that a big gain opportunity is always balanced by a big loss possibility. However, futures trading is not really for the individual as the stakes are very high with unpredictable results. It is the leverage in futures contract that constitute the big gain opportunity and big loss possibility phenomenon (hedge funds realm).

Leveraging refers to the utilization of a small sum of money for a huge investment return. Hence, a gold contract of $35,000 would cost you $3,500 (minus fees and commissions) with a leverage of $31,500.

A small 10¢ gain of your contract, your investment value goes up by $10. For gold, it is possible for its price to swing $100 during the contract’s lifespan. Hence, for a price increase of $100, your investment value would increase to $10,000 to give you 300% gain.

But, the opposite can also happen; a price drop will incur a heavy loss in value which you would have to bear. Hence, leverage offers a seemingly easy and quick way to multiple your small investment, but it can also pull you deep down in serious financial losses quickly.

Futures contracts do offer an opportunity to traders to make a profit from the gold price increase and decrease. An investor expecting a price increase is said to be taking a “long” position while the one who expects gold price to drop will take on a “short” position.

There is “future” in the futures market. Futures contracts normally last only one year or less. Gold futures contract trading does not involve any physical gold delivery. Hence, it is normal for a trader to close out his position prior to the delivery date. Very few futures contracts last up to their whole lifespan. To close out, you will need to sell your contract.

The U.S. has eleven futures exchanges with two gold futures trading in New York and Chicago only. Overseas futures markets which trade in gold are also abundant.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

The Supply and Demand Trends for Gold

The scarcity of gold has always influenced the demand curve for the commodity in the global market. The demand is currently much higher as compared to previous years, with most traders seeking the commodity in the form of gold coins and gold bars as well as in electronics. It is actually a form of world currency in which most people take pride.

It is estimated that there are 165,000 metric tons of gold in the world market with China and India being some of the world’s largest gold buyers as they dedicate the precious metal to jewelry and electronics. The global demand for gold is controlled by different forces, among them central bank reserves and individual gold coin investors as well as the jewelry industry and other technological fields.

These buyers are affected by different market factors which in turn affect the demand and supply curves of gold, making it even more valuable. The fact that gold remains a global trading asset has made it stronger as compared to other commodities in the market. The buying and trading of gold is allowed across boundaries, an occurrence that is not common when it comes to other forms of assets and commodities.

The price trends of gold are compared in relation to the different currencies that are performing well in the markets globally. Therefore the price of gold does not rely only on the US dollar, although most people may tend to think so. The investment trends are another major aspect affecting the demand and supply behavior of gold. Investments come in the form of gold options, gold futures as well as ETF’s and are believed to have a great impact on the supply and demand curve, mostly for gold coins and gold bars.

The macroeconomic factors also determine the supply and demand of this precious commodity, which has a tendency to affect gold prices. This is the same case with the gold market trends which cause the increase or decrease of gold prices. Over recent years, gold prices have proven to increase even with global economic factors showing a downturn.

The value and demand for gold is expected to continue to increase as more and more investors and interested institutions pursue this precious metal. The gold market will always have willing sellers and willing buyers regardless of the economic factors which affect the demand and supply of the precious metal.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Famous Gold Designers

Gold has great value and has been the foundation for the most fashionable items. This commodity has been in use for centuries in the production of jewelry and has also become a strong monetary force in the world markets. This is one material that has allowed designers to come up with the most intricate and breathtaking fashion items, creating a new wave of interest around the world.

The originality and special features of the designs created by jewelers and goldsmiths are the main factors that attract people to such items. Every designer has taken a different approach to the design of their products, setting his or her work apart from the rest in the market thereby making a name for him or herself. There are gold designers from times past who worked with this metal and are well-known to this day for their amazing work, which has retained its great value.

Andrea Cagnetti is one of the most renowned gold designers of all time. His roots are in Italy and he has several masterpieces to his name because of his technique and style of designing. David Goodwin is another great designer who majored in art, making unique gold designs by using the forms of ordinary common objects such as leaves as his inspiration. The designs have earned him a reputation all over the world as a master designer of gold.

Other well-known gold designers are Antonio Bernardo, Ming Lampson who designs her items by hand using Chinese, Indian, Tibetan and Japanese cultures as inspiration for her pieces, and Daphna Simon, who launched her collection back in 2007. Others are Dima, Pedro Boregaard, Azza Fahmy, Barbara Berk and Wright working with Teague as a couple in the gold designing industry. The latter work is mostly based on philosophical and spiritual themes which serve to accommodate different societies and cultures.

When searching for gold jewelry, most people choose the designer as well as the designs. Different people have different tastes when it comes to the designs. Whereas all designs are made in a unique and attractive manner, different people love different designs and many do not have one favorite designer as they feel it is necessary to have differently designed items in their possession.

Gold has proven to be a valuable commodity and one that is not prone to losing its value any time soon. On the contrary, this precious commodity is gaining value with each passing day and its scarcity just adds more value to it.