How much is gold per ounce?
The price of gold traded at $2,357.62 per troy ounce, as of 9 a.m. ET. That’s down 1.60% since yesterday’s gold price per ounce and up 14.10% from the beginning of the year.
The lowest trading price within the last 24 hours: $2,333.91 per ounce. The highest gold spot price in the last 24 hours: $2,431.51 per ounce.
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Gold spot prices
XAU/USD is the label for finding the spot gold price traded in U.S. dollars. In this case, gold (XAU) is traded against the dollar, and the price represents the cost of one (troy) ounce of gold in USD. But there are other foreign exchange markets, such as XAU/EUR for trading in euros and XAU/GBP for trading in British pounds.
The spot gold price represents the price at which gold can be exchanged and delivered, and prices are typically quoted in gold price per troy ounce in U.S. dollars. But prices can also be quoted per gram and kilo. It's worth noting that a troy ounce is slightly heavier than a standard ounce.
Gold price chart
The chart below shows how the spot price of gold is trending over the year. The data is as of 9 a.m. ET and doesn’t display intraday highs or lows.
Year to date, gold is up 14.10% from the beginning of the year, as of 9 a.m. ET. The 52-week intraday high reached $2,431.51 on April 12, 2024, and the 52-week intraday low dropped to $1,810.47 on Oct. 6, 2023.
Remember that the spot price of gold is quoted in real time and represents the current price at which gold can be bought or sold for immediate delivery. For most investors, the spot price usually differs from the price they'll pay or receive when they decide to purchase or sell their gold.
For example, buying physical gold involves overheads like storage costs and insurance.
When trading physical gold, the difference between the buying and selling price, known as the spread, can eat into returns. Dealers often incorporate their markups and transaction fees within these spreads, which means the actual price an investor pays might be higher than the current market rate, while the selling price they receive might be lower.
While gold certificates, gold exchange-traded funds and gold trusts offer more liquidity and are easier to manage than physical gold, they come with their own risks. These investment vehicles might only sometimes match the performance of the spot price of gold due to management fees and potential discrepancies in tracking.
In essence, while the spot price provides a general benchmark for the value of gold, the actual returns and costs an investor encounters differ based on the medium of purchase and the specifics of the investment.
How to invest in gold
Buying physical gold involves overheads like storage costs and insurance.
When trading physical gold, the difference between the buying and selling price, known as the spread, can eat into returns. Dealers often incorporate their markups and transaction fees within these spreads, which means the actual price an investor pays might be higher than the current market rate, while the selling price they receive might be lower.
While gold certificates, gold exchange-traded funds and gold trusts offer more liquidity and are easier to manage than physical gold, they come with their own risks. These investment vehicles might only sometimes match the performance of the spot price of gold due to management fees and potential discrepancies in tracking.
In essence, while the spot price provides a general benchmark for the value of gold, the actual returns and costs an investor encounters differ based on the medium of purchase and the specifics of the investment.
Precious metals spot prices
Precious metals have long served as investment vehicles and industrial commodities. Like gold, the spot prices of silver, platinum and palladium fluctuate based on various market, economic and geopolitical factors.
Price of silver
Silver possesses both monetary and industrial value. While it's used as a hedge against economic volatility, it's also crucial in the electronics, automotive and medical industries. Its dual-use nature can lead to different market dynamics compared to gold.
The price of silver opened at $28.74 per ounce, as of 9 a.m. ET. That’s down 1.56% since the previous day's silver price per ounce and up 20.14% since the beginning of the year.
The lowest trading price within the last day: $27.85 per ounce. The highest silver spot price in the last 24 hours: $29.80 per ounce.
Platinum spot prices
Platinum is another precious metal that commands attention. Rarer than gold and silver, its primary use is in automotive catalytic converters, which help reduce harmful emissions. Given the push for cleaner automotive technologies, the demand dynamics for platinum can vary, influencing its spot price.
The price of platinum opened at $974.60 per ounce, as of 9 a.m. ET. That’s down 2.64% since yesterday’s platinum price per ounce and down 1.33% year to date.
The lowest trading price within the last 24 hours: $963.70 per ounce. The highest platinum spot price in the last 24 hours: $1,008.30 per ounce.
Price of palladium
Palladium, like platinum, is pivotal in the automotive industry for catalytic converters. In recent times, there has been a surge in palladium demand due to stricter emission standards worldwide. Its scarcity and rising industrial demand have led to significant price volatility.
The price of palladium is $1,041.05 per ounce, as of 9 a.m. ET. That’s down 2.91% since yesterday’s palladium price per ounce and down 5.32% year to date.
The lowest trading price within the last 24 hours: $1,024.71 per ounce. The highest palladium spot price in the last 24 hours: $1,087.09 per ounce.
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Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
The highest price gold ever reached was $2,431.51 on April 12, 2024.
One notable recent high includes the yellow metal’s high of $1,971.17 per troy ounce in August 2020. This surge can be partially attributed to the economic uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.
The global outbreak of COVID-19 brought about unprecedented economic challenges. With central banks worldwide implementing low interest rate policies and massive fiscal stimulus packages to support their economies, there were concerns about potential inflation and the devaluation of fiat currencies. In this scenario, some investors turned to gold as a safe asset, given its history as a store of value during times of economic instability.
Geopolitical tensions, trade wars, and supply chain disruptions during this period further contributed to investors seeking refuge in assets deemed more stable, and gold has historically been a preferred choice for many. As a result, demand for gold increased, driving its price to a record high in August 2020.
Remember that while the COVID-19 pandemic’s economic repercussions significantly contributed to gold’s price rise in 2020, other factors likely also played a part.
Gold can be highly volatile and subject to strong short-term price fluctuations.
Whether it’s a good time to buy gold depends on various factors, including your investment goals, risk tolerance and time horizon, the broader economic outlook, and forecasts about the gold market.
Historically, many people view gold as a hedge against inflation and currency fluctuations. Others see it as a store of value during economic downturns. At the same time, some may find diversifying a portfolio of stocks and bonds useful, given its low correlation to both assets.
“If you look at gold’s performance historically, it’s the kind of asset that should perform well through uncertainty, as it has done in five out of the last seven recessions,” said Joseph Cavatoni, chief market strategist for North America at the World Gold Council. “For people looking for a store of value and a portfolio diversifier, gold has a strong track record of delivering those qualities.”
