But then my investment horizon may be longer than yours.

Once we start mining space rocks gold and other precious metals will be nearly worthless!

Just kidding.

Seriously, Its probably a good investment in the short run if you think the dollar's slide will continue.

I think the dollar slide will reverse in the next year, so I would probably stay away from gold stocks unless your time horizon is small. (And the question then becomes one of risk tollerance. Incidentally, I've never seen a need to own a gold stock, and I would never buy gold itself unless I thought the US was on the brink of a horrific economic disaster involving hyper-inflation--I don't think that will happen in our lifetimes.

I bought some silver in the early-eighties (when I was in high school) I still have it somewhere...About 110 ounces... silver has more industrial uses than gold, so you would think that it would go up in value as supplies diminish: But some 20 years later it is an investment that is worth less than what I bought it for...Maybe as my part of my new year resolution I'll get rid of it. (On a sentimental note: it was my first attempt at "Investing" which is the only reason why I've held it for so long.)

Scott Evil