Though it could use economic expansions as an opportunity to generate interest income and fee revenue, not being a lender means it isn't directly exposed to credit delinquencies during recession. A combination of historically low lending rates, ongoing quantitative easing measures, a ballooning money supply, and the prospect of higher inflation, are all favorable for the lustrous yellow metal. Over the long run, investing in the stock market has been one of the most-effective ways of accomplishing this feat.