As of 9:05 a.m. Eastern Time on December 18, 2025, gold was priced at $4,340 per ounce. This represents a $5 fall from yesterday at the same hour and an increase of over $1,746 compared to one year ago.
If you’re searching for an investment that doesn’t move in lockstep with inflation, gold could be a smart pick. Over time, gold has generally shown an upward trend in value. Many investors use a gold IRA to buy and hold gold, which can help stabilize a portfolio during market swings. It’s also a convenient option for those who want to avoid the hassle of storing physical gold.
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Historical gold price chart
Gold isn’t always the top performer. In times of economic strength, stocks can yield better returns both short and long term. Between 1971 and 2024, the average annual return for stocks was 10.7%, while gold averaged 7.9% annually.
Nevertheless, gold is often favored as a low-risk asset during economic uncertainty. For this reason, some investors treat it more as a store of value than as a traditional investment like stocks or bonds.
What does “spot gold” mean?
The spot price of gold is the current price for immediate purchase or sale in the over-the-counter market. This price helps investors track gold demand and market trends in real time. In simple terms, a higher spot price indicates stronger demand for gold. Unlike futures, the spot price refers to immediate delivery.
When the price for future delivery is higher than the spot price, it’s called contango, which is typical for commodities with storage costs. If the futures price is below the spot price, it’s known as backwardation.
Numerous variables can affect the spot price, making it highly volatile. Investors in gold should be prepared for these price swings.
What is price spread in gold trading?
The price spread is the difference between an asset’s buying price and its selling price.
In gold markets, the ask price is the cost to purchase, while the bid price is what you’d get for selling. The bid is always lower than the ask.
A smaller spread means the market is more liquid. When spreads are narrow, it usually points to increased gold demand.
How to invest in gold
If you imagine gold investing as a cartoonish dive into a pile of coins, that’s only part of the story. While physical gold bars, coins, or jewelry are options, most gold trading happens through exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
James Taska, a fee-based financial advisor, says, “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 common gold investment methods include:
- Gold bars: Also called bullion, these are sold by weight, with details like purity and manufacturer marked on the bar. There are also gold rounds.
- Gold coins: Collectibles such as the American Gold Eagle coin, often sold at a premium due to their rarity.
- Gold jewelry: Priced above the gold content for design and craftsmanship.
- Gold futures contracts: Agreements to buy gold at a set price in the future, letting investors speculate on price movements without handling the metal.
- Gold funds: Mutual funds or ETFs invested in gold assets, whose value changes with the underlying holdings.
Is it a good time to invest in gold?
Deciding if now is the best time to buy gold is subjective. Still, gold can help diversify your portfolio and reduce the impact of market volatility.
Gold remains a stable choice amid market turbulence. Prices have surged to record highs, up over 25% since early 2025, driven by inflation and uncertainty. Many experts see this as a good time to add gold for diversification.
Current precious metals prices as of 9:05 a.m. ET on December 18, 2025
Silver, platinum, and palladium are also popular among investors. Gold is usually less volatile than silver, which can see significant price swings even within a day. Silver’s widespread industrial use makes it more sensitive to economic trends.
Platinum and palladium share similar traits with silver. While they offer diversification benefits, they tend to be more volatile than gold.
The takeaway
The U.S. economy has been unsettled for some time, with persistent inflation making an impact. Gold can serve as a hedge against inflation in your portfolio. Thanks to various ways to buy, gold is accessible to investors of all experience levels. Whether using a gold IRA or a more active investment approach, gold can help achieve both short- and long-term goals.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to own gold?
Many investors opt for gold ETFs, which provide a managed basket of easily traded assets.
Is gold a good investment?
Gold is often chosen by those wanting to diversify and hedge against inflation. There are many straightforward ways to invest in gold.
Should I buy gold coins or gold bars?
Gold coins are collectibles and may command a higher price per ounce than bars. Their collectible and historical value can make them appealing. U.S. minted coins may also help protect against counterfeit bars.
