HSBC Gold ETFs
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Noo Yoik
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
HSBC Gold ETFs
Question for the Finance Experts out there.
I've been buying physical gold for the last year (on the dips).
I've heard about HSBC's Gold ETF's. Pretty handy because they can be bought online if you have an account. No storage costs, no Insurance costs, no security problems, and easy exit and entry.
I'm considering doing some more buying in this manner.
Anybody got an opinion on the HSBC product? Good or Bad?
I've been buying physical gold for the last year (on the dips).
I've heard about HSBC's Gold ETF's. Pretty handy because they can be bought online if you have an account. No storage costs, no Insurance costs, no security problems, and easy exit and entry.
I'm considering doing some more buying in this manner.
Anybody got an opinion on the HSBC product? Good or Bad?
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Kowloon
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've been trying to remember who said this, but I can't, so apologies to you:
"When you're stuck in a fire, would you rather have a fire extinguisher, or a picture of one?"
I think a Gold ETF is a great way of trading gold, but nothing else. If you've been buying physical gold (and can easily get hold of it when needed - ie, not in a bank vault) then you probably already understand the benefits. So don't swap one for the other.
Like you, I buy physical, but at times I use ETFs to go short or even double short if I'm feeling extra crazy...
As far as HSBC is concerned, I don't have anything against their product, but I personally trade US ETFs, just because of the much, much larger volume (hence liquidity) available.
"When you're stuck in a fire, would you rather have a fire extinguisher, or a picture of one?"
I think a Gold ETF is a great way of trading gold, but nothing else. If you've been buying physical gold (and can easily get hold of it when needed - ie, not in a bank vault) then you probably already understand the benefits. So don't swap one for the other.
Like you, I buy physical, but at times I use ETFs to go short or even double short if I'm feeling extra crazy...
As far as HSBC is concerned, I don't have anything against their product, but I personally trade US ETFs, just because of the much, much larger volume (hence liquidity) available.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Noo Yoik
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for the replies. Yeah, that's why I went for physical gold to build up a reserve at the beginning. The predictions of collapse of Western Banking were so hot at the time that I wouldn't trust ETFs.
But it seems to me that such a global collapse has receded now. There may still be risk for individual European banks in particular, but nobody serious is talking about a systemic problem which could bring down the whole system any more, and Asian Banks are among the strongest. I have no big worries about HSBC in particular.
So, rather than just buying physical and vaulting it I see benefits in having ETFs for the same reason as China Flyer. Mainly to do with trading and buying into short rallies. It's an entirely different play from stocking up on the physical.
So, if nobody thinks HSBC are too expensive, or otherwise untrustworthy (hah, a Bank, untrustworthy!) then I may take a punt.
But it seems to me that such a global collapse has receded now. There may still be risk for individual European banks in particular, but nobody serious is talking about a systemic problem which could bring down the whole system any more, and Asian Banks are among the strongest. I have no big worries about HSBC in particular.
So, rather than just buying physical and vaulting it I see benefits in having ETFs for the same reason as China Flyer. Mainly to do with trading and buying into short rallies. It's an entirely different play from stocking up on the physical.
So, if nobody thinks HSBC are too expensive, or otherwise untrustworthy (hah, a Bank, untrustworthy!) then I may take a punt.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Noo Yoik
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I use this crowd. Gold Bullion, Investing in Gold Bars & Gold Coins - GoldCore.com
Not because they're cheapest, but because I know them and trust them.
They deliver to Hong Kong.
You can sell back to them. Or if you prefer to sell elsewhere no problem, thats why we buy physical, eh! But best if product still in original packaging from source. You need to shop around a bit.
Not because they're cheapest, but because I know them and trust them.
They deliver to Hong Kong.
You can sell back to them. Or if you prefer to sell elsewhere no problem, thats why we buy physical, eh! But best if product still in original packaging from source. You need to shop around a bit.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Remember, buying into an ETF is the same as buying shares of a trust owned by the biggest C's of them all, the BANK...!! Not backed up by any physical gold at all, the price can do the total opposite to the gold price and can easily go to nothing when everybody decides to sell up. The US "fed" has just delivered open ended QE3 which will ensure further destruction of the economy, so as AAIGUY said .......STACK IT UP.....!!! It will become real "money" again soon, as the World economies crumble and they naturally revert back to gold and silver as money.
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: HKG
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
With HSBC you can also buy paper gold directly from your bank account. I hold bullion for long term, but have used paper gold for trading and also for things like saving for HK tax. I put 15% monthly in there, then sell it towards the end of the year for my tax bill. Been doing this for years and getting nice returns as a bonus. With QE to infinity, I suspect this strategy will continue to work for quite some time.
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Shower house of Africa
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I buy 1oz Kruger Rands directly from the Scoin stores in South Africa.
They store it for you free of charge.
They have a store at OR Tambo airport (FAJS)
They store it for you free of charge.
They have a store at OR Tambo airport (FAJS)
Last edited by Ghost_Rider737; 20th Sep 2012 at 13:19.
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Kowloon
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hang Seng in Mongkok (the large branch, on the corner of Nathan Rd and Shantung St) is where I buy gold coins.
Don't know if any other branches sell them.
They do need your details (ID card or passport), but I guess (hope?) that those details stay within the bank.
Don't know if any other branches sell them.
They do need your details (ID card or passport), but I guess (hope?) that those details stay within the bank.
Last edited by China Flyer; 20th Sep 2012 at 21:22.
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: chances are, not at home
Posts: 334
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Not all ETFs are the same. Some offer real asset backing (eg Lyxor/Soc Gen, and Blackrock I think). Many are indeed, just complex derivatives, some with alarming hidden +/- leveraging or counterpartyrisk.
Find a quality ETF and I cant see the point in the real metal; Expensive and awkward to hold.
Find a quality ETF and I cant see the point in the real metal; Expensive and awkward to hold.
Last edited by Joe le Taxi; 21st Sep 2012 at 21:11.
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Asia
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
