Weighing up the benefits of gold

After a volatile start to 2012 investors are faced with a global economy in a seemingly perpetual state of flux. On the one hand there are nascent indications that the US economy is resurfacing: payroll data has bolstered investor confidence though unemployment figures remain static. But with a Greek exit from the euro looking possible and a spate of national elections in member states disturbing leadership continuity in the region, the trajectory of the global economy remains difficult to determine. The resulting market volatility has refocused investor demand on assets that insulate...