Alternative Outlook

Gold rose to fresh highs on Monday as more investors sought the safety of the precious metal to escape the threat of unresolved tensions in the global economy.

The price of gold hit $1,894.80 an ounce in early trading despite a bounce in European stock markets.

Jeremy Cook, chief economist at foreign exchange brokers, World First, said: “Gold is a rocket ship at the moment and there are many factors that make us expect further gains.

“Firstly, the global recovery has juddered to a halt and, with the obvious uncertainty surrounding …

Investors find respite from the cyclical price swings of the commodities market

Perry Vieth baled hay on a neighbour’s farm in Wisconsin for two summers during high school in 1972 and 1973. The gruelling labour left him with no doubt about getting a college degree so that he’d never have to work as hard again for a paycheque.

Thirty-eight years later, and after a career as a securities lawyer and fixed-income trader, Vieth is back on the farm. Except, now, he owns it. As co-founder of Ceres Partners, a Granger-based investment firm, Vieth…

With many stocks setting records, it is tempting to open a fine bottle of wine and celebrate. But richer rewards might await investors who let it age.

After a bout of monetary easing, the hunt is on for scarce physical assets that offer protection against inflation and potential for strong returns. The Mei Moses World All Art Index, for instance, rose an annualized 5.8% in the past 10 years, while the Standard & Poor’s 500-stock index was flat.

Even more profitable, though, were rare wines—up an annualized 6.8%. That is based …

Gold hits new record price as global economic fears push investors into seeking safe havens.

Gold has smashed through the $1,500-an-ounce barrier for the first time, pushed higher by worries about global inflation, the European debt crisis and the state of the American economy.

Spot gold set a new record of $1,501.26 (£917) an ounce in Asian trading, underpinned by a weak dollar. Standard & Poor’s downgrade of America’s debt outlook on Monday sparked a new flight into safe-haven investments.

The ratings agency lowered its credi…