One of the biggest advantages of investing in gold is its ability to provide diversification. Adding gold to a portfolio can help reduce overall portfolio risk, as it often behaves differently from stocks and bonds. Gold futures can also provide a hedge against inflation, as the value of gold tends to increase when inflation rises.

By choosing a reputable broker and using features such as stop-loss orders, you can mitigate market risk and make informed investment decisions. A precious metals futures contract is a legally binding agreement for delivery of gold or silver at an agreed-upon price in the future. Gold futures contracts are standardized, with each contract representing 100 troy ounces of gold. Buying physical gold involves owning gold in bars (bullion) or coins, which can be satisfying. The primary drawback of this investment strategy is that you’ll incur extra costs to insure and safeguard the gold. Also, if you need to sell the bullion bars or coins quickly due to an emergency, you’re not guaranteed to find a buyer who’ll buy at the market value of your holdings.

Many established precious metals retailers operate online platforms offering price comparisons, transparent pricing and insured shipping. Some platforms also provide storage services through professional vault facilities for an additional fee. Deciding to buy gold as an investment all comes down to your investing objectives. For many investors, a small percentage of gold exposure in your overall investment mix could help improve the diversification of your portfolio.

Investing

• To buy gold futures, you’ll want to consider a trading strategy that aligns with your investment goals and risk tolerance.
• The difference in prices between the two contracts, known as the rollover cost, can vary based on market conditions, such as interest rates, storage costs, and supply-demand dynamics.
• However, jewelry’s resale value depends heavily on craftsmanship, condition and fashion trends rather than just gold content.
• Gold futures offer traders the ability to speculate on the price of gold without owning the metal itself.
• They also potentially increase returns and reduce your risk over the long term.

For example, if the market enters a period of heightened contango just before rollover, traders could face higher rollover costs than anticipated. Conversely, if the market shifts to backwardation, traders might roll over at a favorable price. The difference in prices between the two contracts, known as the rollover cost, can vary based on market conditions, such as interest rates, storage costs, and supply-demand dynamics.

Contract expiration cycles

Gold futures offer traders the ability to speculate on the price of gold without owning the metal itself. If you’re new to trading, this guide walks you through how to trade gold futures—from setting up your account to placing your first trade—step by step. Gold futures contracts are available for trading each month, but specific contract months have higher liquidity and volume. Typically, February, April, June, August, October, and December are the most active trading months for Gold futures, known as the “standard” or “serial” contract months.

Selecting the Right Gold ETFs and Stocks

If you want to invest in gold futures, you’ll need a brokerage account that supports trading on the COMEX divisions of the NYMEX and ICE. The contracts for gold futures are available in several sizes—100, 50, and 32.15 troy ounces, with the standard size being 100 troy ounces. This setup allows you to speculate on future gold prices without the need to physically hold the metal. Gold futures are standardized contracts to buy or sell Gold at a specified price on a future date. Unlike buying the physical metal, futures trading involves no physical exchange of the commodity; instead, profits or losses are settled in cash or, in some cases, physical delivery. Gold futures are one of the most dynamic and leveraged ways to trade the yellow metal, offering traders the chance to profit from price fluctuations without needing to own physical Gold.

• A good alternative for you would be exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
• A modest allocation to gold can help reduce portfolio volatility and preserve purchasing power during periods of inflation.
• Caroline Cruickshank is a skilled writer with a diverse portfolio of articles across various categories.
• When markets experience turmoil, inflation spikes or geopolitical tensions rise, demand for gold typically increases as investors seek more refuge from uncertainty.

The volume profile can help you identify areas of support and resistance, which can be used to set stop-loss levels and take-profit targets. Your main task will be to identify the best gold companies to invest in. When purchasing vintage jewelry, provenance refers to the documented history of a piece and can significantly impact the value of jewelry.

SmartAsset Advisors, LLC (“SmartAsset”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Financial Insight Technology, is registered with the U.S. My mission with TrustedBrokers is to help you find the right broker for you, whether you’re a beginner or a pro. I’ve personally used and tested the brokers mentioned in this article. I started my career in investment banking in London as an FCA-approved person. Futures positions require active management due to leverage and margin requirements. Platforms typically offer tools to monitor position size and margin usage, making it easier to track and adjust trades as needed.

Fidelity Smart Money℠

Broader market uncertainty also plays a role, making investors seek the safety of gold as a risk diversifier. Gold prices can be affected by a variety of factors, including a weakening US dollar, which happened in 2020 due to the ongoing trade war with China and the COVID-19 situation. The margin required to control one contract is only $4,050, which is a fraction of the total value of the contract, allowing investors to leverage $1 to control roughly $15.

Should you invest in gold?

Options generally carry lower risk since the trader’s maximum loss is limited to the premium paid. Futures, on the other hand, can lead to larger gains or losses due to leverage, and the trader is obligated to fulfill the contract terms upon expiration. Both Gold futures and Gold options allow traders to speculate on the asset prices, but they function differently and appeal to different trading styles. Once your account is funded, the next step is to access your broker’s trading platform, where you’ll execute and manage your Gold futures trades.

Understanding Buy Stop vs Buy Limit Order Difference

With gold futures, you can use leverage which allows you to borrow funds from your broker and own more gold futures than your capital. If the price moves in the direction of How to buy gold futures your speculation, you’ll make a lot of money in a short time. If the price moves against your speculation, you could lose more than your initial capital in a short time. So, gold futures and options are best for sophisticated investors.

If holding near expiration, consider rolling the contract to a later month. However, gold’s status as a haven investment comes with important limitations. Unlike dividend-paying stocks or rental properties, physical gold generates no income.

Trading gold futures CFDs on AvaTrade.com is a practical way to speculate on price moves without holding physical bullion. Start small, calculate your margin and tick value as illustrated in this guide. Consider using a demo account to gain experience before risking real capital. Each Gold futures contract represents a specific amount of Gold, typically 100 troy ounces on COMEX. Contract specifications ensure standardization, meaning traders know precisely what they are dealing with in terms of contract size, quality, and expiry.