Last week, the world lost a hero. There are so few people in this world who have fought for freedom in such a benevolent way as Nelson Mandela.
I’m humbled to have met the former president of South Africa at a leadership event years ago. What impresses me to this day was his kind and compassionate spirit. While he could have led with resentment and bitterness, he chose to be peaceful, taking the baton from F.W. de Klerk to unify South Africa. For their efforts, both men were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize 1993 for peacefully terminating the Apartheid regime and laying the foundations for a democratic nation.
Nelson Mandela was truly the model of peace and prosperity, and will be revered as much as we admire Mahatma Gandhi and Mother Theresa. For our children and grandchildren and future generations after that, he is a reminder that some individuals truly have the capacity to change the world.
With 40 years of resources experience, U.S. Global Investors has decades of history investing in South African resources companies. As you can see in the chart below, back in the 1970s and 1980s, the country was the primary producer of gold.
Long-time shareholders will remember the original distinction between U.S. Global Investors’ Gold and Precious Metals Fund (USERX) and the World Precious Minerals Fund (UNWPX). As the first no-load gold fund in the U.S., USERX originally invested in mostly South African gold companies. Eleven years later, UNWPX was launched to address shareholders’ growing concerns about human rights in South Africa and invested in gold mining companies located outside of the country.
With the gold mining industry taking significant turns and twists throughout the years, the difference between the funds has evolved to USERX focusing on senior miners, while UNWPX has a larger weighting in junior and intermediate exploration companies.
Please consider carefully a fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. For this and other important information, obtain a fund prospectus by visiting www.usfunds.com or by calling 1-800-US-FUNDS (1-800-873-8637). Read it carefully before investing. Distributed by U.S. Global Brokerage, Inc.
Gold, precious metals, and precious minerals funds may be susceptible to adverse economic, political or regulatory developments due to concentrating in a single theme. The prices of gold, precious metals, and precious minerals are subject to substantial price fluctuations over short periods of time and may be affected by unpredicted international monetary and political policies. We suggest investing no more than 5 percent to 10 percent of your portfolio in these sectors.
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