Also, in the one 5% plus inflation surge that was in this data set, the CRB index produced a nominal compound return of 1.58% and a real return of minus 3.32%.

FORBES: Gold's Twelve Month March To $3,800

What I do know is that for the limited data set I have, the CRB index produced a nominal compound return of 0.77%, a real return of minus 2.16%, a standard deviation that is twice that of Treasuries, had a twelve month period with a loss of 48.74% and had a 27 year period with a negative compound return.

FORBES: Gold's Twelve Month March To $3,800

Since 2005, the index has grown at an average annual compound rate of 8.4 percent.

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