“Some love it, some hate it. Gold does not pay interest, unlike dividend stocks, bonds and cash, so you do not benefit from compound growth over time,” he says.

On the other hand, gold offers “negative correlation” with stock markets and other assets: “If they fall in value, gold tends to rise, which can be used to offset losses elsewhere in a portfolio. Unlike pounds, dollars, euros or yen, the supply of gold is ultimately finite. Many find that attractive amid today’s global currency wars and rampant money printing.”