2024-08-06 02:40:02
What is the price of gold today?
The price of gold traded at $2,375.76 per troy ounce, as of 9 a.m. ET. That’s down 3.93% from yesterday’s gold price per ounce and up 14.98% since the beginning of the year.
The lowest trading price within the last 24 hours: $2,364.43 per ounce. The highest gold spot price in the last 24 hours: $2,474.38 per ounce.
Gold spot prices
The spot gold price is XAU/USD, representing its price in U.S. dollars. For this symbol, it’s gold (XAU) trading against the dollar (USD). Other markets, though, trade in different currencies. The best-known labels include XAU/EUR for trading euros and XAU/GBP for British pounds.
Spot gold prices are listed as the price for a troy ounce. Troy ounces are used for trading precious metals and are slightly heavier than a standard ounce. However, prices can also be quoted in grams or kilos, so pay attention to the units.
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 14.98% as of 9 a.m. ET. The 52-week intraday high reached $2,483.74 on July 17, 2024, and the 52-week intraday low dropped to $1,810.10 on Oct. 6, 2023.
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 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 are often used as investment vehicles but also have industrial uses. Like gold, the price of commodities like palladium, silver and platinum varies based on market forces. Due to their industrial applications, they also have other sources of demand.
Silver spot prices
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 $26.70 per ounce, as of 9 a.m. ET. That’s down 8.13% from the previous day’s silver price per ounce and up 11.59% since the beginning of the year.
The lowest trading price within the last day: $26.51 per ounce. The highest silver spot price in the last 24 hours: $29.10 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 $917.55 per ounce, as of 9 a.m. ET. That’s down 5.80% from yesterday’s platinum price per ounce and down 7.11% year to date.
The lowest trading price within the last 24 hours: $908.55 per ounce. The highest platinum spot price in the last 24 hours: $974.00 per ounce.
Palladium spot prices
Palladium is also essential in catalytic converters. Stricter emissions standards have also boosted the demand for precious metals. That rising demand and the metal’s scarcity have led to significant price volatility.
The price of palladium is $856.25 per ounce, as of 9 a.m. ET. That’s down 5.64% from yesterday’s palladium price per ounce and down 22.13% year to date.
The lowest trading price within the last 24 hours: $833.25 per ounce. The highest palladium spot price in the last 24 hours: $907.40 per ounce.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
The highest price gold ever reached was $2,483.74 on July 17, 2024.
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.”
