
The Importance of Gold in Investment Portfolios
Wizely
May 4, 2025
Have you ever wondered why gold has always been a go-to investment? From ancient treasures to modern-day portfolios, gold is the ultimate wealth preserver. Unlike other assets, it has stood the test of time, maintaining its value through economic shifts, market crashes, and inflation. But what makes it so powerful, and should it be part of your investment strategy? Let’s dig in!
Gold: The Evergreen Investment
Unlike stocks and bonds, gold has withstood economic storms for centuries. When markets go haywire, gold stays resilient, often increasing in value when everything else dips. That’s why seasoned investors swear by it as a hedge against inflation and economic downturns.
1. A Hedge Against Inflation
As prices of goods and services rise, the value of paper money declines. But gold? It typically moves in the opposite direction, maintaining (or even increasing) its worth over time. That’s why people turn to gold when inflation rears its head.
2. Crisis-Proof Diversification
You’ve heard the saying, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” The same applies to investing. Gold balances your portfolio and softens the impact when stocks take a hit. In market crashes, political instability, or currency fluctuations, gold stays strong and offers crisis-proof security. That’s why central banks and savvy investors trust it to protect their wealth.
3. Liquidity with Stability
Need cash in a hurry? Unlike real estate or other long-term investments, gold is easy to sell anytime, anywhere. It’s universally accepted and instantly tradable.
4. Steady Long-Term Growth
While gold isn’t as flashy as high-growth stocks, it has shown steady appreciation over the years. If you’re playing the long game, gold can be a reliable asset that stands the test of time.
Gold’s Role in a Balanced Portfolio
A simple way to understand the relationship between gold and the stock market is that when stocks take a tumble, gold often steps up - offering a helpful balance to your investments. But it’s not just about crises. Even when the stock market is booming, gold tends to stay steady. While it might not skyrocket like some stocks, it doesn’t crash dramatically either. This is because gold has its own steady demand and therefore keeps your portfolio from becoming too lopsided. Now, let’s look at how this plays out in real life: - The 2008 Financial Crisis: When the global economy took a nosedive, and stock markets crumbled, gold prices surged. Before the crisis, 10 grams of 24 karat gold was priced at around ₹5,800. As fear gripped the markets, gold prices soared to nearly ₹20,000 per 10 grams. People turned to gold as a safe place to put their money, helping to cushion the blow for those who had it in their portfolios. - The 2020 Pandemic: As the world grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic, uncertainty reigned, and markets were volatile. In January 2020, 10 grams of gold would cost ₹34,800. As the pandemic unfolded, gold prices steadily rose, reaching about ₹44,500 by the end of the year and ultimately growing to ₹47,000 by April 2022 when the third wave of the pandemic had subsided. - The 2022 Russia-Ukraine War: When geopolitical tensions escalated, stock markets reacted sharply. On February 23rd, gold was priced at approximately ₹50,200 per 10 grams. The very next day, as war broke out, gold prices saw an immediate increase to ₹51,500 per 10 grams, highlighting its role as a hedge against global instability.
Investing in Gold the Smart Way
Gold has stood the test of time as a reliable and valuable investment, offering stability, security, and diversification for any portfolio. Whether you’re looking to hedge against inflation or balance market risks, adding gold can be a smart move.
While traditional methods like jewellery, bars, and coins remain popular, modern options such as digital gold, sovereign gold bonds, and gold ETFs have made investing easier, safer, and more accessible—all from your phone. And with Wizely, you can invest in digital gold, which is the quickest, easiest and most authentic way to buy gold. You can start with as little as ₹100 and own 24K pure gold with NABL certification for authenticity. So, take the first step today and make gold a part of your investment journey.
FAQs
1.Why is gold considered a safe-haven asset?
Gold has historically retained its value during economic downturns and periods of high inflation, making it a go-to investment when other assets become volatile.
2.What are the benefits of including gold in my investment strategy?
Gold adds stability, acts as a hedge against inflation, and helps diversify your portfolio to reduce overall risk.
3.Is investing in digital gold as effective as physical gold?
Yes, digital gold is backed by 24K physical gold stored in secure vaults. It offers the same value as physical gold with added convenience and security.
4.Does gold give better returns than stocks or mutual funds?
Gold typically offers lower but more stable returns compared to equities. Its primary value lies in reducing portfolio risk and acting as a hedge rather than generating high returns.