Not even halfway into 2023, experts and consumers remain concerned about a potential recession, interest rates and persistent inflation. If you’re looking for a way to protect yourself against a changing economy, you may be taking a look at your finances and investment plan.

For some, gold may be a smart choice as an investment this year — and for more reasons than one. People often turn to gold for stability during times of uncertainty, and a diversified portfolio is a great way to protect your financial future.

If you’re one of the many Americans considering this unique investment option, start by requesting a free information kit to learn more.

Why you should invest in gold in 2023
If you’re thinking about investing in gold, here are some of the benefits to keep in mind.

Gold is considered a hedge against inflation
Gold and other precious metals have long been considered a smart way to fight inflation. That’s because it tends to hold its value and preserve your purchasing power over the long haul, despite fluctuations in the dollar.

“As inflation continues to run high, this might be an excellent time to increase allocations to gold,” says Frank Trotter, president at Battle Bank. “Over time, analysts have shown that gold has been a good hedge against inflation.”

The Personal Consumer Expenditures (PCE) index measures the prices people in the U.S. pay for goods and services. In 2022, the index ranged from 6% to 7% — well above historical norms for the country. It was also much higher than the 2% rate the Federal Reserve had been targeting. According to experts, the economy may not hit that mark until 2025 — possibly even later, making gold an even more interesting investment to consider in the new year.

“From what we’re seeing from recent economic data, combined with the position of the Fed, it’s unlikely that the economic pain will get better soon. In fact, it’s likely to get worse,” says Richard Gardner, CEO of financial technology firm Modulus Global.

“The historic government spending in the form of stimulus during the shutdowns, combined with a land war in Eastern Europe, plus lingering supply chain issues surrounding a resurgent Covid-19, makes it likely that the economy won’t rebound in the near-term. All of that bodes well for gold, given that it has historically overperformed during times of inflation.”

You can explore gold investment options online now to see if it’s right for you.

You can diversify your portfolio with gold
When an economy slumps into a recession, the stock market does, too. Real estate investments can also lose value during a recession. During times of economic downturn, however, gold can be a good way to ensure a diverse portfolio. Diversification generally reduces your exposure to these riskier assets and minimizes the impact of any losses.

“If investors are looking ahead at a possible recession, and perhaps stagflation, reallocating into gold can be an appropriate choice as they reduce exposure to stocks and bonds,” Trotter says.

Gold helps with liquidity
In a recession, liquidity — or being able to offload assets for cash quickly — is key. Then, if you fall on hard financial times, you can cash in on those assets and still stay afloat on bills and other necessities.

Stocks, bonds, real estate, collectibles and other tangible assets are typically considered illiquid investments. They’re hard to turn into usable funds, particularly when demand for those items is down (who wants to buy rare artwork when you can’t pay the bills?)

Gold, on the other hand, is highly liquid and can be exchanged very quickly for cash, making it a smart investment during down periods. As Gardner puts it, “Gold is a useful addition to diversify a portfolio given its price stability, as well as its high liquidity.”