Gold's present cost as of October 13, 2025

Gold could be a suitable investment if you're seeking something not directly linked to inflation's fluctuations. Generally, gold's value is anticipated to appreciate over time. A common method for acquiring and overseeing gold is via a gold IRA, which can offer stability to an investment portfolio during turbulent market periods. This approach might also appeal to individuals interested in gold investments but wishing to avoid the complexities of storing actual gold bars.

Historical gold price chart 

Gold doesn't always guarantee a winning investment. During robust economic periods, equities may offer superior performance both in the short and long run. Between 1971 and 2024, the stock market yielded an average yearly return of 10.7%. Gold, conversely, provided an average annual return of 7.9% across that same timeframe.

During periods of economic instability, gold stands out as a secure choice for investors seeking to minimize risk. Consequently, some individuals might view it more as a way to preserve wealth rather than as an investment vehicle like stocks and bonds.

What does “spot gold” mean? 

The immediate price for gold transactions, whether buying or selling, is known as the spot gold price. This metric serves as a useful indicator for investors tracking current gold investment demand and market movements. In essence, an increase in the spot gold price signifies greater market interest in gold. It's important to remember that, unlike futures, the spot price reflects an immediate transaction.  

Contango occurs when the future price exceeds the spot price, often seen with commodities that incur significant storage expenses. Conversely, backwardation is when the futures price falls below the spot price.

Numerous elements can influence the spot price, leading to its continuous upward and downward movement. Investors interested in gold must be prepared to manage this degree of price volatility.

What is price spread in gold trading?

The price spread represents the gap between an asset's bid price and its ask price. 

In the realm of gold investment, two crucial terms emerge: the ask price and the bid price. The ask price represents the cost to acquire gold, whereas the bid price signifies the amount for which it can be sold. Consistently, bid prices are less than ask prices.

A tighter gap between these two figures indicates a more fluid market. A narrow spread suggests increasing demand for gold.

How to invest in gold 

If your first thought when considering gold investments is Scrooge McDuck joyfully plunging into a heap of coins, you're only partially correct. While acquiring physical gold in the form of bars, coins, or jewelry is an option, gold is frequently transacted through exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

James Taska, a fee-based financial advisor, said, “There is a great debate as to whether paper gold is as useful as the physical. From a financial advisor’s viewpoint, it is much easier to rebalance a client’s allocation of gold if it is owned as an exchange-traded fund (ETF), and the spread when attempting to buy/sell gold can be quite variable and wide.” 

Some of the most common ways to invest in gold include:

• Gold bars: Often referred to as bullion, this is a popular gold investing method. Offered on a per gram or ounce basis, other qualities including purity, weight, and manufacturer are typically stamped on the face of the bar. Similarly, you may encounter gold rounds.
• Gold coins: Collectible coins, like the American Gold Eagle, are frequently priced above bars of equivalent weight due to their perceived status as limited-availability collectibles in the market.
• Gold jewelry: The price of jewelry often exceeds its intrinsic material worth due to its inherent beauty, external appeal, and subjective desirability. 
• Gold futures contracts: A futures contract states that the investor will buy a specified amount of gold for a defined price at a future date. Futures allow investors to speculate on the price of gold in the future without needing to handle the actual physical product. 
• Gold funds: Gold funds, which can be mutual funds or ETFs, hold gold assets. Similar to other ETFs within a stock portfolio, investors can buy shares of gold funds or any other mutual fund, with their value changing according to the performance of the assets they hold.

Is it a good time to invest in gold?

While it's inherently subjective to judge whether the present moment is more advantageous for gold investment than past times, incorporating gold into your investment portfolio can serve to lessen the effects of market fluctuations.

Amidst the present economic climate, gold provides a steadying influence during a period of significant stock market turbulence. Its value has surged to unprecedented levels, experiencing a gain exceeding 25% since the beginning of 2025, driven by persistent inflation and economic instability. A consensus among numerous specialists suggests that now is an opportune moment to broaden your investment holdings with gold.

Current precious metals prices by 8:45 a.m. ET on October 13, 2025

Beyond gold, investors can add silver, platinum, and palladium to their investment portfolios as these are also sought-after precious metals. Gold generally exhibits less price fluctuation compared to silver, which can experience significant price swings even within a single day. Furthermore, silver's status as a more widely utilized resource across various sectors makes it more susceptible to shifts in the broader economy.

Similar to silver, platinum and palladium can serve as diversification tools for investors in rare metals. However, it's important to note that these metals generally experience greater volatility compared to gold.

The takeaway 

The U.S. Economy has been in flux for several years now, and the current period of extended inflation has had a major impact. Gold can serve as an inflationary hedge in an investor’s portfolio. Additionally, because of the variance of acquisition methods, gold can be a relatively easy asset to accumulate based on an investor’s comfort level and interest. Whether you purchase gold as an IRA or as a more active investment account, investing in gold may help achieve both short- and long-term investment objectives.

Frequently asked questions