Gold's spot price reached $4,126.13 per ounce as of 9:00 a.m. ET on Thursday, November 5, 2026, marking a slight increase from Wednesday's $4,044.70 per ounce. This rise reflects gold's status as a safe-haven asset, sought after during economic and political uncertainty due to its reliability as a store of value and hedge against inflation.
Investors looking to add gold to their portfolios have several options. Buying physical gold, such as bullion or coins, is a popular choice. Retailers like Costco and Walmart, along with online dealers like APMEX and JM Bullion, offer these products. However, storing physical gold securely and converting it to cash can be challenging.
Another option is opening a gold IRA, which allows investors to buy gold from IRS-approved refiners and have it stored securely by a custodian. This approach comes with fees, including account setup and management costs, but offers tax benefits. Companies like Birch Gold Group and Goldco provide gold IRA services, with varying fee structures and minimum investment requirements.
For those preferring a more traditional investment approach, gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) track the price of gold and can be purchased through platforms like Fidelity and Schwab. These ETFs either invest directly in bullion or in shares of mining companies, providing exposure to gold's price movements.