By By Charlie Bilello of COMPOUND

By changing the start and end date, you can win just about any argument over what’s the best investment.

Even the age-old battle between Gold bugs and stock market bulls?

Yes, even that one. Here’s a guide to winning the argument, first in favor of Gold and then in favor of Stocks…

If you’re a Gold bug, you should only reference two periods to “prove” that Gold is a better investment: 1972-1980 and 2000-2011. What about all the other years? Ignore them.

1972-1980

Your Narrative: “Gold is the best investment in the world, and will continue to be so forever. There is hyperinflation in the U.S. and a secular stagnation in real growth. The only way to protect yourself is with Gold. And by the way: no one should own stocks.”

Your Evidence: point to a chart showing Gold’s 1,256% gain versus 97% for the S&P 500.

2000-2011

Your Narrative: “Stock investors have suffered through two 50% bear markets while Gold has more than quintupled…. read more