Royalty gains, possibly exponentialThis was taken in part from one of Stockhouse's top stories today.
Advantage of owning precious metals mining/royalty stocks instead of the bullion itself: Leverage
If gold, for example, were to escalate considerably in price (i.e. to $2,000, $3,000, or even more) in the next few years it would have a significantly positive impact on the profitability of the companies who mine it and the royalty companies that buy it from marginal producers. For example, with gold priced at $1,000/oz., and the cost of production at perhaps $600/oz. the gross profit margin of gold mining companies would be 40.0%. If two years from now, however, gold were to increase to $2,000 and the cost of production were to increase by only 20% to $720/oz. then the mining companies’ gross profit margins would have gone up from $400/oz. to $1280/oz., or 220%.
That’s called leverage and historically, in a rising market, the ratio for gold and silver mining/royalty shares vs. physical gold ranges from about 2.5:1 for large-cap gold and silver mining/royalty companies on average to as much as 5:1 for smaller cap gold and silver mining/royalty companies, on average, (currently up 4.4:1 from its 52-week low) and even 10:1 in exceptional circumstances for certain truly outstanding performers. All the more reason to do your due diligence to find and invest in those gold and silver mining and/or royalty companies with the right mix of capable management, strong financing, major resources and geographically and politically well-located properties to reap the major benefits a surge in the future price of gold and silver will present.