An introduction to gold investing for those who are just getting started

Few investments have been as popular as gold throughout history as a hedge against almost any kind of difficulty, from inflation to economic upheaval or currency fluctuations to war. Gold’s popularity as a hedge against almost any kind of difficulty has helped it to remain a popular choice. If you are considering making an investment in gold, you shouldn’t limit yourself to just purchasing physical gold in the form of coins or bullion. Buying shares of gold mining companies or investing in gold exchange-traded funds are both viable alternatives to investing directly in gold (ETFs). Trading options and futures contracts is another method of investing in gold that you can utilize.

Gold is widely recognized as one of the most valuable commodities in the world. Gold has been used throughout history in a variety of contexts, including as a medium of exchange, as an essential component in electronic components, and as an artisanal component in jewelry. It transcends cultural boundaries. For many investors in the modern day, gold retains its allure as a unique asset that provides an alternative to traditional stock and bond markets.

The precious metal is thought of as a safe haven asset, and its demand is at an all-time high during times of political and economic unrest, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic. Gold prices exceeded $2,000 for the first time ever in August of 2020, when they reached their previous peak. This was a significant increase from the previous year’s total of only $1,485 US Dollars.

In addition to this, gold can be used as a hedge against inflation. Gold prices go up in tandem with the general increase in the prices of other goods. This is due, in part, to the fact that the quantity of gold that is currently available is extremely limited. As a result of this, owners of gold are able to better maintain their purchasing power, even as low interest rates drive up prices.

In today’s market, an investor can obtain exposure to gold through a variety of different channels. It is not necessary to own the precious metal in order to participate in any of these, nor is a significant initial investment required.

What are the different ways to invest in gold?

You can invest in gold via:

• Purchasing physical gold
• Gold-linked currency investments
• Gold ETFs or unit trusts
• Gold mining stocks

1. Purchasing physical gold

Purchasing gold bullion is by far the most typical way for investors to put their money into physical gold. The term “gold bullion” refers to gold that is suitable for use as an investment and is typically presented in the form of bars, ingots, or coins.

Gold that is suitable for investment must always have a purity of at least 99.5%:

• The name of the manufacturer, the weight, and the purity of the gold will be stamped onto the bar. Gold bars typically range in weight from one tenth of a troy ounce to one kilogramme (one troy ounce equals 31.1 grammes).
• Gold coins are available in a much wider variety of forms and dimensions. Be aware, however, that you may be required to pay additional costs for certain design elements, such as engravings or collector value. Although there are a few coins that can be used as legal tender in their country of origin, such as the gold sovereigns issued by the United Kingdom, these coins are not typically practical to use in place of currency.

You can purchase gold in its physical form from various banks and brokers. Always make sure that you only buy gold from sellers who have a good reputation. Rather than making the purchase online, it is strongly recommended that one acquire gold bullion from reputable local sources. Gold is considered an Investment Precious Metal (IPM), and as such, it is exempt from Singapore’s Goods and Services Tax (GST). This is another reason why buying gold in Singapore can be beneficial (GST).

Putting your money in gold. Gold exposure can also be gained indirectly through the purchase of jewelry; however, this does not compare to direct investment in gold.

This is due to the fact that the costs associated with jewelry do not directly relate to the amount of gold it contains. For instance, when purchasing jewelry, one must frequently pay for the artisanship as well as the branding, both of which are unrelated to the value of the gold.

In addition to the monetary value of its gold content, jewelry may also have an intangible value, such as the value it holds as an antique. Most importantly, gold jewelry does not fall under the umbrella of IPMs; therefore, buyers will be subject to the standard GST rate of 7% when making a purchase.

Purchasing physical gold should always be accompanied by secure storage and comprehensive insurance coverage.

Having physical gold in your possession will incur some additional expenses. The most common of these is the use of secure storage; rather than keeping their gold bullion at home, many investors opt to store it in the safety deposit boxes or vaults of their banks. Theft is always a possibility with physical gold, particularly in forms that are more compact and easily transportable, such as gold coins.

When purchasing gold in its physical form, verification is also an essential step. It is of the utmost importance to make certain that you choose a trustworthy vendor; dishonest gold-sellers may combine other metals with gold coins or bullions, thereby lowering the percentage of gold present, or they may try to sell tungsten as gold. In most cases, it is in your best interest to search for dealers who are registered with the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

In addition, you should discuss the topic of protecting your gold holdings with a qualified insurance agent to determine the most effective course of action. Before they will sell you a policy, insurers may require that you satisfy certain criteria regarding the manner in which you keep your gold.

Gold prices, like those of any other commodity or investment, go up and down based on the forces of the market. It is important for investors to keep in mind that the value of the gold they own will fluctuate over time.

For investors who are more accustomed to trading stocks and bonds online, investing in physical gold can present a unique set of challenges. When dealing with physical gold, you will most likely interact with dealers who are not affiliated with traditional brokerages. In addition, it is highly likely that you will be required to pay for storage and acquire insurance for your investment. Bullion, coins, and jewelry are the three primary forms of investment options that are available when purchasing physical gold.

Gold Bullion

When most people think about investing in gold, the first thing that comes to mind is bullion, which consists of large, shiny gold bars that are stored securely in a vault.

Gold bullion can be purchased in the form of bars ranging in size from a few grammes to 400 ounces; however, one-ounce and 10-ounce bars are the most common sizes. Considering that the price of gold is currently hovering around $1,900 per ounce (as of September 2020), purchasing gold bullion as an investment is likely to be an expensive endeavor. In contrast to stocks, it is not possible to acquire a portion of a gold bar in the form of a fractional holding.

Because of the high price of gold bullion, it is essential to conduct business with a reputable dealer, pay for delivery (with insurance), or shell out the money to store the gold bullion in a large vault or a safe deposit box. All of these steps should be taken.

If you choose to invest in gold with bullion, it is also a good idea to keep up to date on the price of gold so that you can choose the best time to buy. Most dealers update their prices based on the current spot price of gold. If you choose to invest in gold with bullion, it is also a good idea to keep up to date on the price of gold.

Coins of Gold

Although one-ounce and two-ounce gold coins are the most common sizes, coins weighing half an ounce and quarter of an ounce are also available. The type of gold coin that is most readily available is the collectible variety, and some examples of this category include South African Krugerrands, Canadian Maple Leafs, and American Gold Eagles. Some dealers even sell blanks as well as coins that are damaged or worn.

However, the prices of gold coins might not always correspond to the amount of gold they contain. Coins that are sought after as collectibles typically fetch a higher price. For example, the price of a one-ounce American Gold Eagle coin at retail in the middle of September 2020 is just slightly over $2,000. This represents a markup of almost 5% compared to the same quantity of gold bullion.

It’s possible that local collectors or pawn shops will have better prices on gold coins, but it’s still best to do business with a dealer who has a good reputation and is licensed to do so if you want to be on the safe side.

Gold Jewelry

You also have the option of purchasing gold in the form of jewelry, which you can wear yourself or which someone else wore in the past but has since damaged. Investing in gold jewelry, on the other hand, involves a significant number of risks that are not present when investing in pure gold.

First and foremost, when it comes to buying jewelry, you need to exercise extreme caution because not all sellers of pre-owned jewelry are reputable. Not only is authenticity important to you, but it will be important to anyone to whom you try to resell the item that you have purchased it. Because of this, it is vital that you purchase investment jewelry from a dealer who has a good reputation and obtain as much documentation as you possibly can.

Second, the markup that you pay for the jewelry will vary depending on the company that was responsible for its design and manufacturing. This could be anywhere from twenty percent to more than three times the value of the precious metal in its raw form.

You should also be aware of the purity of your jewelry, which refers to the percentage of gold it contains. Gold’s purity is measured in karats, with 24 karats representing an exact composition of 100% gold. The lower the purity of your piece of jewelry, the lower its melt value, which is the raw value of the components of your jewelry if it were melted into pure gold.

2. Gold as a Commodity-Linked Structured Investment

Gold is known as the safe haven asset on Wall Street because it is able to store its value in real terms even when other markets are volatile. Gold currency investments are yet another method of investing in gold that can be utilized. Purchasing gold through a Commodity-Linked Structured Investment is a good illustration of this strategy.

When you use this strategy, you will discuss the duration of the investment with the bank or broker, as well as the base currency, which could be USD, SGD, or another currency. You will need to reach a consensus on a Target Conversion Rate (TCR) that will be utilized when converting gold into the base currency. Gold is essentially used as a currency and even has its own currency code: XAU.

You have the option of withdrawing both the principal and the coupon at the conclusion of the investment period in either gold (XAU) or the base currency. If the price of gold (XAU) rises relative to the base currency—for example, the United States dollar—you will be repaid in USD for the principal as well as the coupon. On the other hand, if the price of gold (XAU) drops below the TCR, the investment will be converted, and you will be repaid the equivalent of the principal and coupon in gold (XAU) that has been converted using the TCR.

This strategy can generate more interest than, for example, simply holding on to US dollars, and it is ideal for investors who are okay with being paid in gold (XAU). In the event that you are repaid in gold, what choices do you have? After that, you have the option of either keeping the gold (XAU) in your possession, selling it, or reinvesting it in a different commodity-linked currency investment that uses gold as its base currency or commodity. This gives you the chance to earn yet another round of a higher coupon.

Due to the fact that XAU can be traded like a currency, it has been the focus of a great deal of innovative financial activity, such as the creation of derivatives using XAU as the underlying asset for more experienced investors. Nevertheless, dealing with volatility is a necessary part of trading XAU, just as it is in many other forms of forex-based investing. As a result of the persistent price and exchange rate volatility, investors should be prepared to devote some of their time to monitoring these shifts.

Market risk, principal risk, and liquidity risk are some of the other risks that accompany investments, and it is important for investors to be aware of all of these risks. The term “market risk” refers to significant shifts in value as well as other risks that are inherent to financial markets. “principal risk” refers to investments that are not principally protected, which means that you run the risk of losing some or all of the amount that you initially invested. “liquidity risk” means that you run the risk of incurring a loss in principal if you make any withdrawals before the investment reaches its maturity date.

3. Investing in gold ETFs or gold unit trusts

Investing in gold is made possible through the use of an Exchange Traded Fund (ETF), which eliminates the need to purchase actual gold assets. It is a fund that invests in a wide variety of gold-backed assets in their portfolio. Some gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) simply replicate or track the price movements of physical gold, while others may also include shares of gold mining companies or a variety of derivatives backed by gold. The underlying asset is what determines the value of the ETF, and as a result, the performance of the ETF will be determined by the underlying asset.

Gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are able to be traded just like stocks, which makes them highly liquid and simple to unload whenever necessary. They are also often times less expensive to own for new investors because you do not have to purchase actual gold. However, you should check with a qualified broker for the spot price to ensure that you are getting the best deal. This enables you to include gold in your portfolio while simultaneously requiring a lower financial commitment from you.

Gold unit trusts, also known as UTs, are similar to funds in that they are made up of gold-related assets and derivatives. Some gold-related UTs invest in stocks of gold miners, other precious metals, and bulk commodities, while other gold-related UTs invest directly in physical gold. Gold ETFs and some gold-related UTs are similar.

The primary distinction lies in the fact that the unit trust is subject to more active management; within the fund, there are managers who are responsible for the buying and selling of gold-related assets or derivatives. In an ideal world, the professionals who work full-time to manage the fund will be able to generate higher returns than an exchange-traded fund (ETF), which merely tracks the price movements of gold.

The management of the fund will result in costs being incurred in either scenario; however, the fees associated with managing ETFs are typically lower than those associated with managing traditional mutual funds. In addition, you need to investigate the companies that are behind the funds to check that they have sufficient funding and a lengthy track record of success.

Due to the fact that this can be difficult for investors to check, you might want to seek the advice of a qualified financial advisor. Do not forget to check the expense ratio of any funds or ETFs that you intend to purchase, and if you are unsure of how to read the prospectus, you should seek the assistance of a qualified financial advisor.

The purchase of gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and unit trusts can be made easily through a bank or a licensed broker.

4. Investing in gold mining stocks

Instead of investing directly in gold, you might consider investing in the companies that mine for gold. Theoretically speaking, the value of a gold mining company’s inventory should increase whenever gold prices do, which should lead to an increase in the value of the company’s shares. In addition, there is the possibility that, with competent management, miners will be able to spend less money to extract a greater quantity of gold.

On the other hand, incompetent management may result in less gold being extracted at a cost that is greater. As a result of this, this is both a potential advantage as well as a potential disadvantage. The management of a mining company is an additional factor that poses a risk, and investors should be wary of poor management practises. The gearing or debt of the company, as well as environmental or legal policies that could have an impact on the company’s existing operations, are all related risk factors.

A gold mining company has the ability to reduce spending in order to maintain profitability in an environment where gold prices are falling. This is something that cannot be done with a gold ETF or with physical gold. In contrast to physical gold and the vast majority of gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs), gold mining stocks may also pay dividends.

In particular, it is essential to have a solid understanding that returns on mining stocks are not dependent on the price of gold but rather on the future returns of the company itself. There are aspects of the market that are not directly related to the price of gold, such as whether or not the company is involved in the mining of other commodities.

In August of this year, Warren Buffet, who has not traditionally been an investor in gold, used his investment company Berkshire Hathaway to make a nearly half a billion dollar investment in the gold mining company Barrick. Historically, Buffet has not been an investor in gold. This demonstrates how investors who may not be fully interested in gold can still seek to benefit from it through the associated mining industry by investing in related mining companies.

Few Other Ways to Invest in Gold

When times are tough economically or when international conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine War throw the markets for a loop, investors frequently turn to gold as a safe haven to protect their investment portfolios. Gold is a safe asset that has a proven track record of gains, which is appealing to some investors at a time when inflation is surging and the stock market is trading at levels that are significantly lower than its highs.

Gold is popular among investors for a variety of reasons, including the fact that the commodity possesses characteristics that make it an advantageous alternative to traditional securities such as stocks and bonds. They believe gold to be a valuable asset, despite the fact that it is an asset that does not generate a steady stream of cash flow. Because the Federal Reserve’s efforts to stimulate the economy, such as maintaining interest rates at or near zero, and government spending have caused inflation to surge to new heights, some people view gold as a hedge against inflation.

Here is a look at some of the potential downsides associated with each of the five different ways that gold can be owned.

1. Gold bullion

Purchasing gold in the form of coins or bars can be one of the most emotionally satisfying ways to own the precious metal. You’ll get the satisfaction of looking at it and touching it, but ownership also comes with serious drawbacks if you own more than just a little bit of it. If you own more than just a little bit, you’re going to have to deal with them. One of the most significant disadvantages is the requirement to store, protect, and insure physical gold.

Buyers of physical gold are completely reliant on an increase in the price of the commodity in order to turn a profit. In contrast, owners of a business (such as a gold mining company), in which the company can produce more gold and consequently more profit, driving the investment in that business higher, have the ability to increase both gold production and profit.

You have a number of options available to you when it comes to purchasing gold bullion, including doing so through an online dealer such as APMEX or JM Bullion, or even through a local dealer or collector. It’s possible that pawn shops also sell gold. Take careful note of the spot price of gold, also known as the price per ounce that is currently being offered on the market, while you are shopping for gold so that you can strike a reasonable deal. Because of the likelihood of paying more for a coin’s collector value in addition to its actual gold content, you might find it more advantageous to conduct business in bars rather than coins. (Even though they may not all be made of gold, the following nine coins are among the most valuable in the world.)

Risks: The most significant risk is the possibility that someone will physically take the gold from you if you do not take measures to protect your holdings. If you find yourself in a position where you need to sell your gold, you face the second-biggest risk. It is possible, but not guaranteed, that you will not receive the full value of the holdings you are selling, particularly if the holdings are coins and you need the money quickly. As a result, you might be forced to accept the fact that you will have to sell your holdings for a price that is significantly lower than the price that they could otherwise command on a national market.

2. Gold futures

Investing in gold futures is a good way to speculate on the price of gold going up (or down), and if you wanted to, you could even take physical delivery of gold. However, taking physical delivery of gold is not what drives speculators to make investments in gold futures.

The enormous amount of leverage that you are able to use is the primary benefit that comes with investing in gold via futures contracts. In other words, for a relatively small amount of money, you can own a significant quantity of gold futures contracts. You stand to make a significant amount of money very quickly if you correctly anticipate the movement of gold futures prices.

However, the leverage that investors in futures contracts have can work both for them and against them. If the price of gold moves against you, the broker may close your position and you will incur a loss. Alternatively, you may be required to maintain the contract by providing substantial sums of money, which is referred to as margin. Therefore, although the futures market gives you the opportunity to make a lot of money, you also run the risk of losing it very quickly.

You will need a broker that will allow you to trade futures in order to participate in the futures market. Not all of the major brokers offer this service, but the futures market is typically reserved for more experienced investors.

3. ETFs that own gold

Buy an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that tracks the commodity if you don’t want the hassle of owning physical gold or dealing with the fast pace and margin requirements of the futures market. This is a great alternative if you don’t want to deal with either of those things. The SPDR Gold Shares (GLD), the iShares Gold Trust (IAU), and the Aberdeen Standard Physical Gold Shares ETF are three of the most popular exchange-traded funds (ETFs) (SGOL). The objective of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) such as these is to replicate the price performance of gold while minimizing the annual expense ratio of the ETF. As of October 2022, the expense ratios for the aforementioned funds are only 0.4 percent, 0.25 percent, and 0.17 percent, respectively.

Another significant advantage of owning an ETF rather than bullion is that it can be more easily converted into cash at the price determined by the market. Just like selling a stock, you are able to trade the fund on any day that the market is open for the price that is currently in effect. Therefore, gold exchange-traded funds are more liquid than actual gold, and you can trade them without leaving the convenience of your own home.

ETFs give you exposure to the price of gold, which means that regardless of whether the price goes up or down, the fund should perform similarly, once again minus the cost of the fund itself. Gold, much like stocks, is subject to periods of extreme volatility. However, investing in these exchange-traded funds allows you to avoid two of the most significant dangers associated with owning the physical commodity: the risk of losing value on your holdings and the risk of having your gold stolen.

4. Mining stocks

Having ownership in the mining companies that produce the precious metal is yet another way to capitalize on the rising price of gold. Due to the fact that investors can profit from gold in two different ways, this may be the best alternative for investors. To begin, if the price of gold continues to rise, so will the profits of the miner. The miner also has the ability to increase production over time, which results in a double-whammy effect.

When you invest in individual stocks, you need to have a thorough understanding of the company in which you are investing. You should proceed with caution when choosing a well-established player in the industry because there are quite a few miners out there that pose a significant level of risk. It is in your best interest to steer clear of small miners and those who do not yet have a mine that is producing. Last but not least, just like any other stocks, mining stocks can be highly volatile.

5. ETFs that own mining stocks

You don’t want to spend too much time researching individual gold companies, do you? Investing in an exchange-traded fund (ETF) might be a good idea in this case. Gold miner exchange-traded funds will provide you with exposure to the industry’s most significant gold miners. Due to the fact that these funds invest in a diverse range of companies within the sector, you won’t suffer as much from the poor performance of any one miner.

VanEck Vectors Gold Miners ETF (GDX), VanEck Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ), and iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF are three of the largest exchange-traded funds (ETFs) operating in this industry (RING). As of the month of October 2022, the expense ratios for those funds come in at 0.51 percent, 0.52 percent, and 0.39 percent, respectively. These funds provide investors with the benefits of owning individual miners in addition to the security that comes with diversification.

Risks: Although investing in a diversified ETF will protect you in the event that any one of your holdings performs poorly, it will not protect you from events that have an effect on the entire industry, such as prolonged drops in gold prices. Additionally, exercise caution when choosing a fund to invest in because not all funds are created equal. Some funds have junior miners, which are associated with a higher level of risk, while others have established miners.

Why investors like gold

According to Juan Carlos Artigas, global head of research at the World Gold Council, “gold has a proven track record for returns, liquidity, and low correlations, making it a highly effective diversifier.”

These characteristics are of utmost significance for those who invest:

• Gold’s returns have been superior to those of stocks and bonds during certain time periods, despite the fact that this is not always the case.
• Liquidity: If you buy particular types of gold-based assets, you will have the ability to quickly convert them into cash if necessary.
• Low correlations: The performance of gold is frequently distinct from that of stocks and bonds, which means that when stocks and bonds rise, gold may fall or vice versa.

Gold also has the potential to offer the following additional benefits:

• Diversification: Given that gold does not have a strong correlation to most other assets, including it in a portfolio can help reduce the overall amount of volatility experienced by the portfolio as a whole.
• Gold is a safe haven for investors because they frequently turn to it when they believe the economy is in danger; as a result, gold is considered a defensive investment.

These are a few of the most significant advantages of owning gold, but investing in gold, like investing in any other asset, is not without its share of risks and disadvantages.

Although there are times when gold is a good investment, it is not always easy to tell when those times are. Because gold in and of itself does not generate cash flow, determining when it is available at a low price can be challenging. In the case of stocks, on the other hand, there are clearer signals to follow because they are based on the earnings of the company.

In addition, because gold does not generate a cash flow, in order for investors to make a profit from gold, they have to rely on somebody else paying a higher price for the metal than what they paid for it. On the other hand, owners of businesses, such as gold miners, have the potential to profit not only from an increase in the price of gold but also from an increase in the earnings of their own businesses. Therefore, one can profit from gold investments in a variety of different ways.

Make sure you only put your money into things you fully understand

It is in your best interest to consult with an experienced financial advisor prior to making any purchases involving gold. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Standard Chartered. Your investment horizon, risk tolerance, and the conditions of the market at the time of your investment all play a role in determining the appropriate amount of gold for you to purchase as an investment. Aim to have a portfolio that is well-balanced and well-diversified, and one in which investments in gold play a distinct and specific role.

Purchase shares of gold mining companies to make an investment in gold.

Buying gold in its physical form is a much more complicated endeavour than making an investment in the stock of a company that is involved in gold mining, refining, and trading. Considering that this will involve purchasing shares of gold mining companies, you will need to use your brokerage account in order to make an investment.

 

The following companies have some of the most widely held stocks in this industry:

 

The Newmont Corporation (NEM). Newmont Mining Corporation is the most successful gold mining company in the world, and it has its headquarters in Colorado. It is also involved in mining operations in Africa, North America, and South America.

Company Name: Barrick Gold Corp. (GOLD). This massive gold mining company has its headquarters in Toronto, but its operations can be found in 13 countries across the globe.

Franco-Nevada Corp. (FNV). Franco-Nevada does not own any gold mines in any of its properties. Instead, it acquires the rights to royalties from third-party gold miners through purchases.

It is important to keep in mind, however, that although the stock prices of gold companies are correlated with the price of gold, they are also based on the fundamentals related to each company’s current profitability and expenses. This demonstrates that investing in specific gold companies carries the same level of risk as investing in any other stock. You won’t have the same level of protection when investing in individual stocks as you would with diversified funds because single stocks are more likely to be volatile.

Investing in gold can be done through futures and options.

Trading futures or options contracts is a form of speculative investing that carries a high level of risk and is considered the most risky of all the ways to invest in gold. Futures and options are both types of derivatives, which means that the value of these financial instruments is determined solely by the price of an underlying asset.

A futures contract is an agreement to buy or sell a security at a predetermined price on a specified date, regardless of how the market is currently performing at that time. A contract for options, on the other hand, is an agreement that grants you the right to buy or sell a security if the price of that security reaches a predetermined level on or before a predetermined date.

You will need an account with an online broker that provides futures and options trading in order to be able to invest in these financial vehicles. Trading in these securities is possible through many online brokerages; however, account holders may be required to sign additional forms acknowledging the risks associated with investing in derivatives through these brokerages.

After you have opened a brokerage account in order to trade futures or options, you will be able to buy and sell those instruments directly through the platform. When you trade options or futures on most platforms, you are subject to a commission fee. The amount of this fee varies according to the number of contracts you purchase or sell.

People who want to invest in gold through futures contracts or options need to actively monitor their holdings in order to ensure that they are able to sell, roll over, or exercise their options before the options become worthless and expire. In addition, each of these choices comes with a predetermined amount of leverage, also known as debt, which means that investors who make excessive use of them and then suffer losses in the market will see their losses mount up very quickly.

Should You Put Your Money in Gold?

Gold might be able to provide you with a safe haven for investing if you are concerned about inflation and other types of disasters. Gold’s value has been remarkably stable over extremely long time horizons, despite the fact that gold’s short-term price fluctuations can be just as unpredictable as those of stock markets.

You have the option of investing in tangible gold, gold stocks, gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and gold mutual funds, as well as speculative futures and options contracts, depending on your personal preferences and level of comfort with risk. No matter which form of gold you decide to invest in, the majority of financial advisors will tell you to invest no more than ten percent of your total portfolio in it.

There is an element of risk involved in any type of investment. Gold is no exception to this rule. The idiosyncratic gold market, on the other hand, is not forgiving and requires a significant amount of time to learn. As a result, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds that invest in gold are the most reliable option for most investors who want to add some of gold’s steadiness and luster to their portfolios.

Invest in Gold Exchange Traded Funds as well as Gold Mutual Funds.

You can gain exposure to gold’s long-term stability by investing in gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds. These investments offer more liquidity than investing in physical gold and more diversification than investing in individual gold stocks. There is a diverse assortment of gold funds available to invest in. Some of these investments are passively managed index funds that use futures or options to track trends in the industry or the price of bullion.

For instance, the price of the SPDR Gold Shares Exchange Traded Fund (GLD) is pegged to the price of physical bullion, and the GLD holds both physical gold and deposit receipts. On the other hand, the VanEck Vectors Gold Miners ETF (GDX) is a fund that is managed in a hands-off manner and follows the performance of an underlying basket of stocks belonging to gold mining and refining companies.

Mutual funds that invest in gold, such as the Gold and Precious Metals Fund offered by Franklin Templeton, are actively managed by experienced investors. These funds strive to achieve returns that are superior to those of index funds that are managed in a passive manner. In return, they impose relatively high expense ratios on their clients.

Just keep in mind that, similar to buying gold stocks, you aren’t actually purchasing gold but rather just paper that is theoretically backed by the debt or equity of mining companies or futures and options contracts for physical bullion. Because of this, the value of gold mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) might not be completely in line with the price of gold on the market, and the performance of these investments might not be the same as that of physical gold.