Last Updated on May 11, 2024 at 6:55 pm
A risk and return comparison of Gold (INR, per gram) and Sensex data over the last 40 years reveals that gold is a high-risk, low-reward investment! This is an updated gold vs equity study, much more comprehensive than previous reports. It is important for investors to understand these results especially when gold returns look promising during periods when equity is down.
In May 2014, a gold vs equity study using data up to 1925 showed that gold was riskier than stocks! The present study uses data from Jan 1979. Before we consider the results, it is important to recognise that the Gold price in INR is linked to not only Gold price in USD but also the exchange rate. In the past, this has resulted in quite different Gold INR and Gold USD movements: Gold Price Movement: USD vs INR
Readers interested in a deep-dive analysis of Sensex data can also refer Sensex Charts 35 year returns analysis: stock market returns vs risk distribution. In what follows we shall consider Sensex price data as a proxy for equity. Due to dividends, the returns shown will have to be enhanced by 1.5% to 2%. No expense fee or tax is considered.
Gold vs Equity Price movement