News
Passenger rail service in San Clemente to resume on Monday
Regular passenger rail service connecting San Clemente and Oceanside is set to resume on Monday, bringing relief to commuters who have been impacted by the recent landslide that forced the shutdown of operations along the scenic coastal route. The Orange County Transportation Authority, which owns the track through San Clemente, worked in collaboration with Metrolink, the regional passenger rail service operator, to construct a 200-foot-long wall at Mariposa Point to stabilize the hillside. Full service will resume for Metrolink trains between San Clemente and Oceanside, as well as for Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner to and from San Diego after running limited service earlier this month.
The seven-mile stretch of the popular route between Orange and San Diego counties had been closed since January 24 due to debris falling from a privately owned hillside along the Mariposa Trail Bridge in San Clemente, causing significant disruptions for commuters. This recent incident marked the fifth time in three years that train service had been impacted by hillside erosion in the area. The previous landslide in 2022 resulted in a six-month closure of Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner and Metrolink trains, and another landslide at Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens in San Clemente further disrupted rail services along the coast.
In response to the latest landslide, the California Transportation Commission allocated $7.2 million in emergency funding to support the repair work, which also received federal support. Metrolink undertook significant measures to secure the area, including undercutting nearly 500 feet of ballast from below the track to remove mud and dirt along the right-of-way. Orange County transportation workers also implemented a more comprehensive drainage system and built a wall supported by steel beams 30 feet deep to prevent further erosion. Additionally, rail ties were replaced, and the track was resurfaced to ensure the safety and efficiency of the railway.
For the latest updates on rail service and schedules, members of the public are encouraged to visit the Metrolink website at http://metrolinktrains.com or contact (800) 371-5465 via call or text. The resumption of passenger rail service between San Clemente and Oceanside signifies a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to address the challenges posed by erosion along the coastal rail corridor. Commuters and travelers can once again enjoy the convenience and scenic beauty of this vital transportation link.
News
Is now the right time to invest in gold as prices have cooled?
The price of gold has climbed to record highs recently and has remained strong through much of April. And, that growth continued until the precious metal traded at around $2,390 per ounce on April 19, 2024. But since, growth in the price of the precious metal has cooled, with gold’s price now hovering around $2,300 per ounce.
This lull in gold’s price may represent an investment opportunity.
In general, investing is centered around buying assets when prices are low and selling them when prices are high – generating a profit on the difference between the two. So, considering the declines in gold’s price over the past few days, now may be the time to make your investment. But is buying gold during this lull in prices really a good idea?
Compare your gold investment options among leading brokers now.
Gold prices have cooled. Should you buy in now?
With gold’s price down from recent highs, you may be wondering if now is the right time to buy in. There are several reasons the dip in gold’s price may represent an opportunity to buy. Here are some of the biggest:
Prices may rise again
If looking at a gold price chart shows anything for certain, it shows that changes in the overall growth of the medal come in fits and spurts. Periods of price growth are typically followed by periods of declines and vice versa.
But with inflation rising in recent months – and with gold’s reputation as a safe-haven asset that can hedge against inflation – it only makes sense that the price of the precious metal will eventually start to head up again in the future. While attempting to time that directional change may be tricky, buying the precious metal while the price is down gives you the opportunity to take advantage of any upward movement that may be ahead.
Add gold to your portfolio now before prices have a chance to rise.
You may be able to make a quick profit
Gold isn’t known as an asset in which you can earn a quick return, but in today’s market, that may be the case. Don’t forget that in January, gold was trading at just $2,000 per ounce. And, by mid-April, the commodity’s price had climbed to around $2,400 per ounce. That’s about 20% growth in a matter of months, much of which happened since March 1 – an impressive climb for any investment asset.
Perhaps more importantly, gold’s price growth through the beginning of 2024 shows that the commodity doesn’t have to be a buy and hold style investment that you keep in a safety deposit box or precious metal depository for years to come. There’s also the possibility that the commodity’s price could climb further ahead, making it a compelling way to potentially generate a quick profit.
There are other benefits of investing in gold
There are other benefits of investing in gold that have little to do with the price growth seen thus far in 2024 – or the lull in prices seen over the past couple of days. Those benefits include:
- Inflation protection: Gold has long been considered an inflation hedge, and for good reason. When inflation drives the prices of consumer goods and services up – and the value of the dollar down – gold’s price tends to rise. So, it could be used to maintain the value of your portfolio during inflationary economic conditions. That’s important in today’s economic environment as stubborn inflation continues to weigh on the value of the dollar.
- Portfolio diversification: Gold’s price doesn’t always move in the same pattern that bonds or stocks do. So, mixing a reasonable amount of gold into your portfolio (up to 10% of your portfolio assets) as a diversifier could protect you from losses should one or more of your traditional portfolio assets fall in value. “If you have less than 5% – 10% of your net worth in commodities & FX (forex), you should absolutely consider adding exposure to gold and other precious metals,” says Vijay Marolia, money manager and managing partner at the wealth management firm, Regal Point Capital.
The bottom line
Gold’s price has fallen from recent highs – which may represent an opportunity to tap into growth ahead. However, gold isn’t simply a “buy while it’s low and sell while it’s a high” kind of investment opportunity. The commodity can also protect your portfolio from the stubborn inflation we’ve seen thus far in 2024 while acting as a diversification tool that could increase your risk-adjusted portfolio returns. So, consider adding gold to your portfolio today while it has the potential to grow in value.
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Is now the right time to invest in gold as prices have cooled?