[Thomas Jefferson II]

Toadster, allow me to wallow in my ignorance some more. The low in gold this year was 391.20, and it is currently at 518.00. It is up 24.5% on the year not 20%. You must have meant to say Altria is up about 24% because with a 52 week low of 60.40, and a current price of 75.32 it is only up 20% on the year. Add to that a dividend of 4.2% [3.20/75.32=.042%] your barnburner year is up 24.2% [if this is your only stock]. Back to Gold, I own TRE [Tan Range] which is up 88.5% [sorry Tommy, no divdend]. But more importantly the bigger picture is the prize. Gold is up 267% in the last five years, and Altria is up 57% [I'll throw in your 5% dividend for five years and give you 82%]. Now, MAYBE if you use your little divisor/decoder ring you can figure that out to be more ... Again, whatever makes you feel good.

I would go wallow in my ignorance if I could find it under this pile of GOLD!

[Petronski]

The low in gold this year was 391.20, and it is currently at 518.00. It is up 24.5% on the year not 20%.

You've calculated the trading range.

To find out how gold has performed this year, divide the current price of gold by its price on January 1, 2005.

It appears gold opened the year at about 428 and is currently 515; about 20%.

[Toddsterpatriot]

You must have meant to say Altria is up about 24% because with a 52 week low of 60.40, and a current price of 75.32 it is only up 20% on the year.

With your poor math skills, you must be a protectionist. Taking your own numbers, $75.32/$60.40=1.247. For a public school grad (I'm assuming you graduated) that's about a 25% increase. And if you want to be exact, you'd take the closing price on 12/31/2004 ($61.10) as your starting point.

Add to that a dividend of 4.2% [3.20/75.32=.042%] your barnburner year is up 24.2% [if this is your only stock]

Again, if you want to be accurate, you'd take the $61.10 starting price and use the $3.06 actually paid this year to get the 5% dividend I quoted.

Gold is up 267% in the last five years

You're killing me!!! Please show the math you used to get 267%. Snicker.