The current cost of gold on November 17, 2025

Gold could be a suitable investment if you seek one 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 act as a stabilizing element within an investment portfolio during turbulent market conditions. This option might also appeal to individuals interested in gold investments but wishing to avoid the complexities of storing actual gold bullion.

Historical gold price chart 

Gold doesn't always guarantee a winning investment. During robust economic periods, equities may outperform over both immediate and extended durations. Between 1971 and 2024, the stock market achieved average yearly gains of 10.7%. Gold, conversely, saw an average annual return of 7.9% across that same timeframe.

Yet, when economic conditions are unstable, 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 like stocks and bonds.

What does “spot gold” mean? 

The current gold price reflects the cost of buying or selling gold instantly through an over-the-counter transaction. This metric serves as a useful indicator for investors tracking gold investment demand and market shifts. In essence, an increase in the spot gold price signifies greater market demand for the precious metal. It's important to note that, unlike futures, the spot price pertains to an immediate transaction.  

Contango occurs when the future price exceeds the spot price, a situation often seen with commodities that incur significant storage expenses. Backwardation is the term used when the futures price is less than the spot price.

Numerous elements influence the spot price, causing it to fluctuate continuously. 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 the bid and ask prices for an asset. 

In the realm of gold investments, 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. Notably, bid prices consistently fall below ask prices.

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

How to invest in gold 

If your immediate thought when considering gold investments is Scrooge McDuck joyfully plunging into a hoard of coins, you're only partially correct. Although 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. This premium is due to their status as collector's items with restricted market supply.
• Gold jewelry: Jewelry typically comes with aesthetic, external and subjective value, so the price may be significantly higher than the standard weight value. 
• 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, including mutual funds and ETFs, hold gold assets. Similar to other ETFs within a stock portfolio, investors can buy shares of gold funds or other mutual fund investments, with their value changing according to the performance of the underlying asset holdings.

Is it a good time to invest in gold?

While it's somewhat subjective to decide if the present moment is more advantageous for investing in gold than other times, employing gold to diversify your current investment holdings can lessen the effects of market fluctuations.

Amidst the present economic climate, gold provides enduring stability during a time of significant stock market volatility. Prices have reached unprecedented levels, increasing by more than 25% since the beginning of 2025, driven by persistent inflation and economic instability. A consensus among many specialists suggests this is an opportune moment to broaden your investment portfolio with gold.

Current precious metals prices as of 9:15 a.m. ET today

Beyond gold, investors frequently consider silver, platinum, and palladium as valuable additions to their investment portfolios. Gold generally exhibits lower volatility compared to silver, which can experience significant price fluctuations within a single day. Furthermore, silver's widespread industrial applications make it more susceptible to shifts in the broader economy.

Similar to silver, platinum and palladium offer investors a diversification option. However, it's important to note that these precious metals generally experience greater volatility compared to gold.

The takeaway 

The U.S. Economy has experienced instability for some time, with the ongoing period of prolonged inflation significantly affecting it. Gold can function as protection against inflation within an investor's holdings. Furthermore, due to the diverse ways it can be acquired, gold is generally accessible for investors to obtain, depending on their ease and inclination. Investing in gold, whether through an IRA or a more dynamic investment account, might assist in reaching both immediate and future financial goals.

Frequently asked questions