Gold Investors: Are You Really Trusting the Experts or Just Yourself?
In a recent survey BullionVault pulled 1,000+ precious‑metal investors worldwide and the results were pretty telling. A staggering 68 % of folks said they’d simply go with their gut when picking gold, silver, or other bullion. Turn on the lights—those are the self‑made investors who feel they’ve got the financial world on a string.
Where Else Do They Look for Ideas?
- 16 % of respondents admit to chasing ideas from the internet: bloggers, finfluencers, tipsters, podcasters and the like.
- A meager 6 % lean on a qualified professional—financial advisers, planners, or stockbrokers—to steer them.
- In fact, 1 % put their trust in AI services to make decisions for them.
That 6 % is a drop in the bucket compared to the 9 % figure from the Financial Conduct Authority, which reports how many UK adults get formal investment advice this year. Even more surprising? 25 years of bullion history let the best performers outshine everything else—yet hardly anyone has turned to a pro for a recommendation.
“Gold’s the Hedge, but the Advice Gap Is Real”
Adrian Ash, BullionVault’s Director of Research, weighed in:
“People who own gold or silver are undeniably self‑directed. The metal’s value doesn’t rely on anyone else’s performance, so you get an instant hedge against the packaged stuff. Yet most investors still keep the bulk of their wealth in other asset classes—often 80 % or more. That means the advisory gap isn’t just about gold; it’s about a whole portfolio that could benefit from professional advice.”
As Ash noted, “If you can give someone your money and they’ll do the right thing for it, you shouldn’t be missing that service.” He also warned that while the internet is a treasure trove of investment ideas, it’s easy to get lost without due diligence—a lesson reminded in the wake of the last financial crisis.
Why Execution‑Only Platforms Are Trending
Execution‑only services—think BullionVault and similar platforms—are becoming the go-to for many. By letting you act directly on your own decision, they expose the full costs and keep the middleman out. All the best help and risk extra fees? Makes sense.
AI is Still a Stranger
Only 1 % of survey participants say they rely heavily on AI. Even though people can scrounge up ideas from influencers, the human element remains king. The next generation of investors might dodge the phone—no one wants to talk to a correspondent—but the majority still prefer a personal touch.
What This Means for You
If you’re a bullion investor, you’re part of a community eager to defend their autonomy. That doesn’t mean you’re alone—just think of traditional advice as a useful sidekick, not the all‑octane fuel of the market.
