With the world dealing with an array of economic and geopolitical concerns, experts continue pointing to Gold’s tremendous upside potential. Many, in fact, predict that in the not so distant future, the precious metal could skyrocket to as much as $2,000 and ounce. From the declining dollar to the spectres of inflation and bank failures, many wise people are deciding to protect their money by moving 10-20% of the assets into Gold. Below are some of the major factors currently influencing the Gold Market.

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  WAR IN IRAQ

  
  Now its fifth year, the war in Iraq has cost U.S. taxpayers nearly $400 billion dollars, or more than $200 million a day. With the U.S. economy already burdened with a national debt of more than $9 trillion, many people are deciding that the safest place for their money is in Gold.
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  GOLD OUTPERFORMS STOCKS

  
  While the NASDAQ is down since January 2000, Gold has risen in value by more than 200%. Consider that if in January 2000 you had bought $50,000 worth of Gold, by March 2008 that wise purchase would have become worth more than a whopping $179,000!
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  THE DECLINE OF THE U.S. DOLLAR

  
  Traditionally, Gold and the U.S. dollar move in opposite directions. While the U.S. dollar has hit record lows against other world currencies, Gold has continued climbing toward record numbers. With some experts concerned that the dollar could experience a complete crash, many wise people are moving money into the safe-haven of Gold.
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  THREATS OF TERRORISM

  
  The events of September 11, 2001 caused the longest stock market closure since The Great Depression. In the aftermath, The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by $1.2 trillion, its largest one-week margin in history. Another attack could have a similar effect and send Gold prices racing upward.
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  CONFLICT WITH IRAN

  
  As the world’s fourth largest producer of oil, Iran’s escalating nuclear ambitions continue to have a negative affect on world financial markets. Many worry that a clash between Iran and the U.S. would drive oil prices to record highs, which, in turn, could potentially send Gold skyrocketing.
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  HOUSING MARKET DISASTER

  
  Problems in the subprime lending industry have now created the worst downturn in the U.S. housing market in many years. With foreclosures already hitting record highs this year, experts are voicing concern that the housing crisis may be having serious effects on many sectors of the economy.
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  WORRIES OVER INFLATION

  
  The Federal Reserve has battled the effects of the credit crisis by lowering interest rates, but that practice can also serve to spur inflation. With no end in sight to rising prices, many people have sought refuge in Gold as a trusted inflation hedge.
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  BANK FAILURES

  
  The recent closure of IndyMac Bank Corporation was one of the largest bank failures in American history. At the same time, it is reported the FDIC has an additional 90 banks on its “problem” list. With this kind of uncertainty looming, many people are transferring a portion of their assets into U.S. Gov’t Gold.
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  GOLD SUPPLIES DRYING UP

  
  With demand for Gold reaching record numbers, experts are warning that, in as little as a decade, the world supply of mined Gold could completely dry up. If that prediction were to come true, the price of Gold could explode to a price in the thousands of dollars per ounce range.
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  EXPERTS PREDICT $2,000/oz.

  
  While no one can predict with absolute accuracy whether a Gold Coin’s future value will go up or down, troubling economic and world conditions have many experts pointing to Gold’s tremendous upside potential and the possibility of it reaching as high as $2,000/oz. in the future.