When it comes to investing in gold, there are a variety of options available. Depending on your investment strategy, experience, and risk tolerance, you can choose from gold coins, gold mining stocks, gold ETFs, gold mutual funds, and gold ingots. Each option has its own advantages and drawbacks, so it's important to understand the different types of investments before making a decision.
Gold Coins
- Old and rare gold coins have what is known as numismatic or “collector's” value above and beyond the underlying value of gold. These coins can be a great investment for those with experience in the field, but they come with additional costs such as storage and insurance.Additionally, only certain types of coins are approved for use in a gold IRA.
Gold Mining Stocks
- Investing in gold mining companies may offer another form of exposure to the metal, but these stocks don't always follow gold's long-term performance very closely. This form of investment also requires investors to learn more about the risks of gold mining and associated companies. Buying gold mining stocks is relatively simple through a brokerage account or an investment app.Gold ETFs and Mutual Funds
- Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds are a good choice for beginning investors because of their low cost and low minimum investment requirements. ETFs track the price of gold and are usually passively managed, while mutual funds are actively managed and have higher fees.Both options provide diversification and can be bought through a brokerage account.
