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Head-to-Head Comparison

GoldvsReal Estate (REITs)

Which asset better protects your retirement savings? We compare physical gold against Real Estate (REITs) (VNQ) on returns, risk, and inflation protection.

Gold Advantage Score: 95/100
Hard Asset

Physical Gold

RECOMMENDED

Physical gold bullion, the ultimate store of value for 5,000 years.

10-Year Return
+8.4%
annualized
Volatility
15.2%
std deviation
Max Drawdown-44%
Inflation Correlation+0.68
Key Benefits
Zero counterparty risk
Cannot be printed or devalued
Recognized globally as money
Central banks hold 35,000+ tonnes
Paper Asset

Real Estate (REITs)

Ticker
VNQ

Real estate investment trusts. Illiquid, leveraged, and interest rate sensitive.

10-Year Return
+6.8%
annualized
Volatility
22.4%
std deviation
Max Drawdown-72%
Inflation Correlation+0.28
Key Risks
Lost 72% in 2008
Commercial RE in crisis
Rising rates crush valuations
Illiquid in a crisis

Performance Comparison

MetricGoldReal Estate (REITs)Winner
1-Year Return13.2%8.4%GOLD
5-Year Return10.8%4.2%GOLD
10-Year Return8.4%6.8%GOLD
Volatility (Lower = Better)15.2%22.4%GOLD
Max Drawdown (Smaller = Better)-44%-72%GOLD
Inflation Protection0.680.28GOLD

The Verdict: Gold vs Real Estate (REITs)

While Real Estate (REITs) may offer higher short-term returns, gold provides superior wealth protection for retirees. Gold's lower volatility, better inflation correlation, and zero counterparty risk make it the smarter choice for preserving purchasing power.

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