These Gold Streaming Stocks Are Buys for 2018

Investing in precious metals is most often associated with directly owning bullion or investing in mining companies, but both strategies have notable drawbacks. Streaming and royalty companies, like Royal Gold, Inc., Franco-Nevada Corporation, and Wheaton Precious Metals Corp., change the equation, effectively avoiding many of those negatives, allowing them to provide more consistent returns to investors over time.

Here are some of the key benefits and drawbacks you need to know about the gold streamingniche, including a deeper look at a few of the industry's biggest companies.