Bullion VS Stocks

That is one of the best answers I have seen. You buy retail silver because you like it, plain and simple. No disguising your purchases as investments, preparing for doomsday, etc., etc. Very refreshing

 

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Bullion certainly is an investment.

dictionary.reference.com: Investment

If one can be invested in a garment, then it is certainly possible to be invested in precious metals.

Now, of course precious metals aren't the same type of investment as stocks, bonds, futures, etc, and I think that's what throws a lot of people off. But the question is not "Are precious metals the same kind of investment as stocks wherein the employees of the company you own stock in are actively working to earn a profit on your investment..." or "Are precious metals the same kind of investment as a bond where the issuer of the bond has guaranteed a return on your investment..." Of course not, but they can be an "investment" nonetheless.

As for which is the better investment, stocks or PM, it all depends on what the future holds. If we look at past performance, it's small business stocks, hands down. However, past performance doesn't guarantee future performance, and since I can't tell the future, I'm not going to venture a guess as to what would be the best investment today.

 

Also, from the "Bullion Investing" forum description:

The title is "Bullion investing". If bullion can't be an investment, then this forum name would be something of a misnomer. It's also mentioned in the description "sold as investments".

The description doesn't say anything about limiting the discussions to coins. Only "gold, silver, platinum and other metals sometimes formed into coins..."

Now, wasn't there something about fun in the OP?

 

Google's (dictionary.com) definition of bullion:
Noun

1. Gold or silver in bulk before coining, or valued by weight.
2. Ornamental braid or trimming made with twists of gold or silver thread.

Assuming that definition to be accurate, bullion isn't an investment. You could invest in coins, jewelry, art, etc, but not the base bullion.

 

Step 1: Google "investment definition."
Step 2: Read the second definition given: "a thing that is worth buying because it may be profitable or useful in the future."

Bullion is most definitely a thing. You can most definitely buy it because it most definitely could be profitable or useful in the future. Personally I think this entire argument is rather petty.

 

I prefer bullion because in that case you actually have something to hold on to. I mean you actually got your money right there.

 

I know everyone gets all emotional when one calls bullion an investment, and looks down their noses while muttering the word hedge, but if you bought silver at $5 and sold at $40 you did some nice investing.

Sunk some money into it and came out making more than you put in (minus inflation) - sounds like an investment to me.

Also, you could lose money. Not hedging very well in that case. You can win or lose, just like every investment.

All that being said, I like stocks better because there are more choices out there. I won't use the diversification word, but obviously that's the most prudent approach.

 

Ignoring the fact that even the US Mint refers to Silver Eagles as "bullion", how is that definition in any way supposed to even infer that bullion is not an investment?

Do people exchange money for bullion?
Do some of those people do it with the expectation that their bullion will appreciate in value?
When they decide to liquidate their investment, regargless of gains or losses, can they exchange bullion for cash?

How is that not an investment?

 

Ah, and when you go to the US Mint's web site, not only do they refer to them as bullion coins, they actually refer to them as ... drumroll please ... "American Eagle Bullion Investment Coins".

 

I buy both. I would give you a reason, but it's been said not to do this. It would be too serious and not "fun". Being fun your don't have to worry about the consequences of your action or these statements as well. Are we having fun yet?

 

I am.

 

I would give you more likes than just the one above, but I don't want you to feel like your the only one having fun. :>) verses )<:

 

Alright...following the OP's instructions. I prefer bullion (namely silver) over stocks. First reason is that if the company that manufactured the silver bar (or round) goes belly up, I can still get something for my investment, unlike stocks. Second, I follow Warren Buffet's advice. Invest in something you are interested in, and understand. Stocks fail me in both categories.

 

your = YOU ARE

fail

 

wow...what is wrong with some of you?

 

Yeah this is like, very dumb.

 

Goldman Sachs CEO, Lloyd Blankfein, said it best...

You want to be in stocks (not PMs) as the economy expands.

 

What? The OP wanted us to have fun. We're having fun!

 

I am me, I have no clones that I know of, I am not some other person, I think I am confusing myself LOL, see what you caused NorthKorea. I AM ME LOL.. Anyway, I am glad that some people actually realize that bullion is a investment. I can't see how some on here don't see that. Whats the #1 thing you hear everyone say when they want you to buy something from them. Invest in this or that. NorthKorea (Invest is short for investing) which means investing into something. There's your nouns verbs and adjectives all in one