Are you sold on gold? The precious metal outperformed every major equity index in the world in 2008. The question is, can gold—and other precious metals—keep on flying? Or would buying today be buying high and selling low?

Precious metals have always been intriguing to investors because they tend to hold their value. In times of geopolitical crisis or currency devaluation, for example, the value of paper money might fluctuate, but a hard asset will always be worth something. As a result, historically, precious metals have been considered a “safe haven” in times of economic and financial instability.

That brings us to why gold is on a tear today. It declined in 2008 and early 2009 as panicked investors rushed into cash…

World stocks fell today, Friday, after a disappointing U.S. jobs report and a sluggish euro zone services sector survey reinforced expectations that the process of recovery in the global economy would be long and slow.

European shares climbed 1 percent on Monday, boosted by upbeat euro zone data, while the dollar steadied after falling late last week on a renewed call by China for a super-sovereign reserve currency.

World stocks rose on Wednesday from the previous day’s six-year lows after Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke signaled nationalization of big banks was not at hand, while the yen fell across the board.

MSCI world equity index down 0.85 pct at 212.56… Rally after UK bank rescue package evaporates… S&P ratings downgrade on Spain hits euro

Global stocks decline as gloomy economic news flow resumes… Euro zone services activity falls to a fresh record low… Central banks expected to cut rates aggressively… MSCI World stock index down 0.4 percent

MSCI world equity index up 0.9 percent at 192.09, Hopes for interest rate cuts cushion economic gloom, Government bonds rally; oil rises from 3-1/2 year low