The NYMEX Platinum contract is for 50 ounces of platinum, and the NYMEX Palladium contract is for 100 ounces of palladium. Together these two contracts trade in excess of 1.25 million ounces of metal per day. Similarly, physical assets may be difficult to sell at reasonable prices, particularly during times of heightened volatility. And of course, precious metals carry the added risk of theft if they are stored at home.

Salaries at Special Metals Federal Credit Union vary depending on the department you work in. Special Metals Federal Credit Union salaries in the finance department are the highest with an average salary of $88,755. Employees in the it department at Special Metals Federal Credit Union receive relatively high salaries as well, with an average salary of $72,844 per year. Gold is the most high-profile precious metal, consistently generating lots of attention from the financial media, as well as market participants.

Types of Corrosion-Resistant Metals

Most exchanges offer full, mini, and micro futures contracts to open up the metals market to small traders or investors with limited capital. Another way to invest in physical precious metals is by purchasing jewelry.

“Universal guaranteed price over spot.” Different coins may have prices over the spot price. Some companies may say all their coins are priced over the spot price (meaning they create instant profits!). This may occur, but the likelihood of all inventory being over the spot at the same time may be cause to raise some alarms.

The Internal Revenue Service has strict rules for where precious metals can be held; A sales floor is not one of them. According to estimations, over 19 million ounces of gold and 170 million ounces of silver on average are transferred every day only on the London market. Precious metals are a common tool for portfolio hedging and diversification since they tend to perform well in turbulent market conditions. Also, since they are more resilient and durable, their value will likely remain the same or even increase over time. It is worth noting that some precious metals also have industrial use. By making conscious choices about the precious metals we use, we can contribute to a more sustainable future. ​One of the most significant risks of owning physical metals is that they can be lost or stolen.

Highest paying Special Metals Federal Credit Union competitors

The data presented on this page does not represent the view of Special Metals Federal Credit Union and its employees or that of Zippia. Read more about pewter price per kg here. The average Special Metals Federal Credit Union salary varies by location.

Of the ways to invest in precious metals listed above, trading futures is the riskiest. Futures contracts are agreements between two parties in which one party agrees to sell, and the other agrees to buy a good at a set price at a future date. When the settlement date of the contract arrives, the seller delivers the goods, and the buyer receives the goods at the agreed-upon price. These contracts are traded on an exchange (for U.S. gold futures, the exchange is the New York Mercantile Exchange) by speculators and commercial traders . Investors who want to add precious metals to their portfolios have several ways of doing so. Those wishing to hold the metals directly can purchase physical bullion, such as minted coins or bars, and then store them in a safety deposit box.

Stainless steel is a good choice for marine applications due to its good strength-to-weight ratio, good electrical conductivity, and excellent corrosion resistance. Finally, copper alloys offer excellent electrical conductivity with outstanding corrosion resistance in certain environments. Copper alloys are also lightweight and strong, which makes them great for applications such as marine equipment, piping systems, valves, pumps, fasteners, and more. Nickel alloys are known for their excellent corrosion resistance as well as a wide range of mechanical properties. Nickel alloys often contain chromium or nickel-iron precipitation-hardening stainless steels that offer superior hardness and strength even at elevated temperatures. Aluminum alloys are also popular for their resistance to corrosion but may have poor corrosion resistance in water environments.

However, it is worth noting that such investments are also accompanied by delivery, storage, insurance, and other costs. Owning precious metals can be a great way to diversify your investment portfolio and hedge your investments against downward swings in the stock market and real estate. For example, from November 2008 to March 2009, the S&P 500 fell about 30%; meanwhile, the price of gold increased by about the same amount. For this reason, precious metals are often seen as a ‘safe haven asset’ — an asset that tends to retain its value during challenging economic times. Investing in precious metal stocks, ETFs, closed-end funds, and mutual funds is often the most prudent way for investors to get exposure to the asset. Some investors worry about liquidity in the case of a chaotic financial situation, such as a natural catastrophe, stock market collapse, or hyperinflation. However, history shows again and again that people embrace hard assets like precious metals during times of crisis.