THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE GOLD MARKET AND ITS INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Zlato je imelo že v zgodovini pomembno vlogo, saj so imele države denar vezan na zlato, kar se je imenovalo zlata valuta. Takrat je bila cena denarja izražena v količini zlata. Dokončno ločitev denarja in žlahtnih kovin povzroči propad brettonwoodskega denarnega sistema. Danes se z zlatom trguje na trgu zlata, ki je globalen trg. Najbolj razvit in najbolj likviden je trg zlata v Londonu, kjer se oblikuje cena zlata, ki daje osnovo za trgovanje z zlatom. Cene za zlato pri poslih, ki so sklenjeni na vseh preostalih trgih, so s premijo ali diskontom prilagojene londonski trgovalni ceni. Količina zlata se izraža v unčah, čistost pa s karati. Kot udeleženci na trgu zlata nastopajo rudniki zlata, centralne in poslovne banke, zbiratelji, špekulanti in industrijski uporabniki. Povpraševanje po zlatu v zadnjih letih presega ponudbo in temu primerno raste tudi njegova cena. Današnja vloga zlata je, da državam, njihovim centralnim bankam in posameznikom, ki investirajo vanj, zagotavlja večjo varnost in stabilnost, saj ni jasno kakšne razmere bo prinesla prihodnost. Zlato je alternativna naložba, investitor ima možnost v okviru trga zlata vložiti svoje premoženje v zlate palice in kovanci, račun v zlatu, delnice in sklade, ki vlagajo v rudniška podjetja, zlate opcije, terminske pogodbe, vrednostne papirje v zlatu in garancije. V portfelju posameznika se priporoča do 10 % premoženja v zlatu, vendar pa zlato ni naložba za tiste, ki želijo na hitro zaslužiti, ampak je to naložba za zavarovanje premoženja na dolgi rok.Gold has been important since ancient times, as countries used to have their money tied to gold, which was called the gold currency. In those times, the price of money was expressed in quantities of gold. The final separation of money and precious metals was caused by the collapse of the Bretton Woods system of monetary management. Today gold is traded on the global gold market. The gold market in London is the most developed and most liquid market in the world, setting the price of gold which serves as a basis for trade in gold. Prices for gold in business operations concluded in all other markets are adjusted to the London trading price by a premium or a discount. The quantity of gold is expressed in ounces and its pureness is expressed in carats. Gold mines, central and business banks, collectors, speculators and industrial users all participate in the gold market. In recent years, the demand for gold has exceeded the supply. Consequently, its price has been rising. Today, the role of gold is to provide greater security and stability to countries, its central banks and individuals who invest into it, as it is unclear what the situation will be in future. Gold is an alternative investment. On the gold market, the investor has the opportunity to invest their funds into gold bars and coins, gold accounts, shares and funds that invest into mining companies, gold options, futures contracts, and securities in gold and guarantees. In an individual\u27s portfolio, it is recommended to keep to 10 % share of funds in gold. Gold, however, is not an investment for those who are looking for great profit in a short period of time. It is an investment to secure funds in a long term