How to Invest in Gold

The price of gold is taking off as inflation rises and geo-political tensions take centre stage. We review 4 proven strategies to help you invest in gold, and consider their pros and cons.

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Invest in gold and other precious metals without commission with the following CFD brokers and providers:

Best brokers

1. FP Markets Best FX Broker Australia 2021 - FxScouts
2. FXCC Best Forex Trading Account 2017 - UK FOREX Awards
3. FxPro Best MetaTrader Broker 2020
4. Equiti Best Overall Broker 2023 - TrustedBrokers.com
5. AvaTrade Best Mobile Trading Platform 2021

Broker reviews

#1

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FP Markets is a true ECN broker with razor-thin spreads and deep liquidity. Trade CFDs on over 1,000 stocks, indices, commodities and currency pairs through MetaTrader 4 or 5. FP Markets supports all trading styles and EAs.

• Markets: Forex (CFD), Cryptos (CFD)*, Stocks (CFD), Indices (CFD), Metals (CFD), Energy (CFD), Commodities (CFD), Bonds (CFD)
  * Availability subject to regulation.
• Platforms: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Copy trading
• Regulators: Australia, Cyprus (EU), Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, South Africa

• Accounts

Standard Account [MT4/5]  ▷ Standard Account [MT4/5]: Trade over 60 pairs of currencies as well as CFDs on metals, indices and commodities through MT4 or MT5. Get ultra-fast execution speeds under 40 milliseconds, with this ECN account.
$100 deposit	1:500 leverage	Market execution	▷

Raw Account [MT4/5]  ▷ Raw Account [MT4/5]: Trade over 60 pairs of currencies as well as CFDs on metals, indices and commodities through MT4 or MT5 from 0 pips plus commission. Get ultra-fast execution speeds under 40 milliseconds.
$100 deposit	1:500 leverage	Market execution	▷

#2

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Trade CFDs across Forex, crypto, oil and indices with leverage up to 1:500. FXCC accepts all trading styles and Expert Advisors on MT4. There are no conflicts of interest, as FXCC.com doesn't trade against you.

• Markets: Forex (CFD), Cryptos (CFD)*, Indices (CFD), Metals (CFD), Energy (CFD)
  * Availability subject to regulation.
• Platforms: MetaTrader 4
• Regulators: Cyprus (EU), Nevis

• Accounts

ECN XL Account  ▷ ECN XL Account: Trade CFDs on 70+ currency pairs, crypto-currencies, commodities and indices with leverage up to 1:500. Get a 100% bonus on your first deposit, up to $2,000.
$0 deposit	1:500 leverage ?	Market execution	▷

#3

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FxPro (FxPro.com) is a global broker, winner of 95+ awards including "Best MetaTrader Broker" in 2020. Trade 250+ instruments across a wide range of asset classes on MT4/5 or cTrader. FxPro accepts all trading styles without restrictions.

• Risk warning: 84.69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs and Spread Betting work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
• Markets: Forex (CFD), Cryptos (CFD)*, Stocks (CFD), Indices (CFD), Metals (CFD), Energy (CFD), Commodities (CFD)
  * Availability subject to regulation.
• Platforms: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, Copy trading
• Regulators: Bahamas, Cyprus (EU), South Africa, UK

• Accounts

MT4 Floating - Instant Execution  ▷ MT4 Floating - Instant Execution: Trade 70+ currency pairs, spot indices, energies, metals and shares on floating spreads and instant execution. All EAs are allowed.
$500 deposit	1:200 leverage	Instant execution	▷

MT4 Floating - Market Execution  ▷ MT4 Floating - Market Execution: Trade 70+ currency pairs, spot indices, energies, metals and shares on floating spreads and market execution. All EAs are allowed.
$500 deposit	1:200 leverage	Market execution	▷

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MT5 Floating - Market Execution  ▷ MT5 Floating - Market Execution: Trade 70+ currency pairs, indices, energies and metals on floating spreads with market execution. All EAs are allowed.
$500 deposit	1:200 leverage	Market execution	▷

FxPro cTrader  ▷ FxPro cTrader: Trade 70+ currency pairs, spot indices, energies and metals on razor-thin spreads with market execution. Run cAlgo algorithmic trading robots.
$500 deposit	1:200 leverage	Market execution	▷

#4

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Equiti.com is TrustedBrokers' Best Overall Broker in 2023. Trade CFDs on 400+ instruments on leverage up to 1:500. Get superior execution through its network of 35+ liquidity providers. Equiti accepts all trading styles, without restrictions.

• Markets: Forex (CFD), Cryptos (CFD)*, Stocks (CFD), Indices (CFD), Metals (CFD), Energy (CFD), Commodities (CFD)
  * Availability subject to regulation.
• Platforms: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5
• Regulators: Armenia, Jordan, Kenya, Seychelles, UAE, UK

• Accounts

Standard Account  ▷ Standard Account: Trade CFDs on Forex, crypto-currencies, stocks, indices, ETFs and commodities on low spreads, with leverage up to 1:500. Equiti supports MT4 and MT5 and allows all trading styles. Get ECN execution with Tier 1 liquidity.
$500 deposit	1:500 leverage	Market execution	▷

Advanced Account  ▷ Advanced Account: Trade CFDs on Forex, crypto-currencies, stocks, indices, ETFs and commodities from 0.0 pips plus commission, with leverage up to 1:500. This account is designed for experienced traders.
$10000 deposit	1:500 leverage	Market execution	▷

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Elite Account  ▷ Elite Account: Trade CFDs on Forex, crypto-currencies, stocks, indices, ETFs and commodities on 0.0 pips and razor-thin commission, with leverage up to 1:500. You'll also get VIP support from a Personal Account Manager. This account...more ▷ Elite Account: Trade CFDs on Forex, crypto-currencies, stocks, indices, ETFs and commodities on 0.0 pips and razor-thin commission, with leverage up to 1:500. You'll also get VIP support from a Personal Account Manager. This account is designed for high-net-worth individuals, and those who trade large volumes.
$50000 deposit	1:500 leverage	Market execution	▷

#5

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AvaTrade (AvaTrade.com) is an award-winning online broker. Trade CFDs on Forex, crypto-currencies, shares, metals and more on MetaTrader 4 or 5. AvaTrade accepts all Expert Advisors except those with a focus on arbitrage.

• Risk warning: 77.82% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
• Markets: Forex (CFD), Cryptos (CFD)*, Stocks (CFD), Indices (CFD), Metals (CFD), Energy (CFD), Commodities (CFD), Bonds (CFD)
  * Availability subject to regulation.
• Platforms: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Copy trading
• Regulators: Australia, BVI, Cyprus (EU), Gibraltar, Israel, Japan, South Africa, UAE

• Accounts

AvaTrade Account [BVI]  ▷ AvaTrade Account [BVI]: Trade 55 currency pairs on fixed spreads, plus CFDs on crypto-currencies, stocks, indices, bonds and commodities. This account, registered in the British Virgin Islands, has significantly higher leverage.
$100 deposit	1:400 leverage	Instant execution	▷

AvaTrade Account [EU]  ▷ AvaTrade Account [EU]: Trade 55 currency pairs on fixed spreads, plus CFDs on crypto-currencies, stocks, indices, bonds and commodities.
$100 deposit	1:30 leverage	Instant execution	▷

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Islamic Account [BVI]  ▷ Islamic Account [BVI]: Trade a wide range of financial instruments with a Shariah compliant account. AvaTrade does not charge rollover fees or swaps on overnight positions. You cannot invest in crypto-currencies through this account. This...more ▷ Islamic Account [BVI]: Trade a wide range of financial instruments with a Shariah compliant account. AvaTrade does not charge rollover fees or swaps on overnight positions. You cannot invest in crypto-currencies through this account. This account, registered in the British Virgin Islands, has significantly higher leverage.
$100 deposit	1:400 leverage	Instant execution	▷

Islamic Account [EU]  ▷ Islamic Account [EU]: Trade a wide range of financial instruments with a Shariah compliant account. AvaTrade does not charge rollover fees or swaps on overnight positions. You cannot invest in crypto-currencies through this account.
$100 deposit	1:30 leverage	Instant execution	▷

Professional Account [EU]  ▷ Professional Account [EU]: Trade 55 currency pairs on fixed spreads, plus CFDs on crypto-currencies, stocks, indices, bonds and commodities. Access high leverage up to 1:400 with this account for professional traders.
$100 deposit	1:400 leverage	Instant execution	▷

#6

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LiteFinance (LiteFinance.com), formerly LiteForex, is a global ECN broker. Trade CFDs on a wide range of markets on Metatrader 4 or 5, with flexible leverage up to 1:1,000. LiteFinance accepts all EAs and trading styles, including scalping and news trading.

• Risk warning: 83% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
• Markets: Forex (CFD), Cryptos (CFD)*, Stocks (CFD), Indices (CFD), Metals (CFD), Energy (CFD)
  * Availability subject to regulation.
• Platforms: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Copy trading, Mirror trading
• Regulators: Cyprus (EU), Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

• Accounts

Classic Account  ▷ Classic Account: Trade Forex on floating spreads from 2 pips on MT4 or MT5. Get started from a low $50 deposit. Market execution with no requotes.
$50 deposit	1:1000 leverage	Market execution	▷

ECN Account  ▷ ECN Account: Trade Forex on floating spreads from 0 pips plus commission on MT4 or MT5. Get started from a low $50 deposit. Get market execution with no requotes. LiteForex pays 2.5% interest per annum on the balance of your account.
$50 deposit	1:500 leverage	Market execution	▷

#7

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HFM (HFM.com), formerly known as Hot Forex, is an award-winning Forex and CFD broker, with accounts tailored to new and experienced traders. Trade a wide range of markets including Forex, stocks, indices and commodities through MetaTrader 4 or 5.

• Markets: Forex (CFD), Stocks (CFD), Indices (CFD), Metals (CFD), Energy (CFD), Commodities (CFD), Bonds (CFD)
  * Availability subject to regulation.
• Platforms: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Currenex, Copy trading, Mirror trading
• Regulators: Cyprus (EU), Mauritius, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, South Africa, UAE

• Accounts

Micro Account [MT4, MT5]  ▷ Micro Account [MT4, MT5]: Trade Forex as well as CFDs on shares, indices and metals on floating spreads without commission. This account, designed for new traders, has smaller trading sizes and a lower initial deposit.
$5 deposit	1:1000 leverage	Market execution	▷

Premium Account [MT4, MT5]  ▷ Premium Account [MT4, MT5]: Trade Forex as well as CFDs on shares, indices and metals on floating spreads without commission. This account, designed for experienced traders, allows you to trade up to 60 lots per position.
$100 deposit	1:500 leverage	Market execution	▷

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Islamic Account [MT4]  ▷ Islamic Account [MT4]: Trade Forex as well as CFDs on shares, indices and metals on floating spreads without commission. This Islamic account has no swap or rollover charges when you keep positions overnight. Terms and conditions apply.
$100 deposit	1:500 leverage	Market execution	▷

#8

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Trade CFDs on Forex, shares and precious metals on competitive spreads through ForexMart, an international ECN broker. ForexMart supports all trading styles, including scalping, through MetaTrader 4.

• Markets: Forex (CFD), Cryptos (CFD)*, Stocks (CFD), Indices (CFD), Metals (CFD), Energy (CFD)
  * Availability subject to regulation.
• Platforms: MetaTrader 4, Copy trading
• Regulators: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

• Accounts

Classic Account  ▷ Classic Account: Trade 60+ currencies from 1 pip without commission on MetaTrader 4. ForexMart supports all trading styles and Expert Advisors.
$15 deposit	1:500 leverage	Market execution	▷

Pro Account  ▷ Pro Account: Trade 60+ currencies from 0.6 pips without commission on MetaTrader 4. ForexMart supports all trading styles and Expert Advisors.
$200 deposit	1:500 leverage	Market execution	▷

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Zero Spread Account  ▷ Zero Spread Account: Trade 60+ currencies on raw spreads plus commission on MT4, with leverage capped at 1:200. ForexMart supports all trading styles and Expert Advisors.
$500 deposit	1:200 leverage	Market execution	▷

#9

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HYCM (HYCM.com), formerly HY Markets, is an award-winning regulated online broker. Trade over 300 instruments on fixed or variable spreads over MetaTrader 4 or 5.

• Risk warning: 85% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
• Markets: Forex (CFD), Cryptos (CFD)*, Stocks (CFD), Indices (CFD), Metals (CFD), Energy (CFD), Commodities (CFD)
  * Availability subject to regulation.
• Platforms: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5
• Regulators: Cayman Islands, Cyprus (EU), Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, UAE, UK

• Accounts

Fixed Account  ▷ Fixed Account: Trade CFDs on fixed spreads from 1.8 pips on MetaTrader 4 or 5. No support for Expert Advisors. This account is available in Islamic format upon request.
$100 deposit	1:500 leverage	Instant execution	▷

#10

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JustMarkets (formerly JustForex) is an offshore broker that allows you to trade over 170 instruments on low spreads, and high leverage up to 3,000 times your initial deposits. It accepts all trading styles on MetaTrader 4 and 5.

• Risk warning: Margin trading in the financial markets is speculative and implies a high level of risk, including full loss of deposit.
• Markets: Forex (CFD), Cryptos (CFD)*, Stocks (CFD), Indices (CFD), Metals (CFD), Energy (CFD)
  * Availability subject to regulation.
• Platforms: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Copy trading
• Regulators: Cyprus (EU), Seychelles

• Accounts

Standard Account  ▷ Standard Account: Trade CFDs from 1 pip with flexible leverage up to 1:3000. Choose between MetaTrader 4 and 5. All EAs and trading strategies are allowed.
$1 deposit	1:3000 leverage	Market execution	▷

In this article:

• Gold CFD (Contracts for Difference)
• Gold ETF (Exchange Traded Fund)
• Shares in gold miners
• Gold bullions (bars or coins)

Gold CFD (Contracts for Difference)

A contract for difference (CFD) allows you to speculate on the price of an underlying asset, without owning it. For example, if you expect the price of gold to rise above US$ 1,000 per ounce (imaginary price), you could buy 10 CFDs for US$ 10,000. If the price of gold were to rise by $100, you would net a US$ 1,000 profit (excluding trading fees).

CFDs are popular with retail traders because brokers like FPMarkets.com and AvaTrade.com offer significant leverage. For example, you could open a position worth $10,000 with a low $20 initial deposit through FP Markets, as this broker offers 1:500 leverage. If the price of gold were to rise by $100, as above, you would again make a US$ 1,000 profit on your $20 investment. Please note that the maximum amount of leverage available to you may vary based on your country.

In practice, leverage is a double-edged sword that can increase your potential gains and losses. If prices move against you, your broker will ask you to make further deposits and may close your position completely if you cannot meet a margin call. This is why we recommend using little to no leverage, in particular if you are new to trading or plan on "buying and holding" over long periods of time.

In addition, you may also want to open an account with a broker that offers negative balance protection. Negative balance protection means that you'll never lose more money than you invest. You may be surprised to learn that this can happen when you use excessive amounts of leverage, or short a security whose price moves up (rather than down).

Gold ETF (Exchange Traded Fund)

You could also speculate on the price of gold through an Exchange Traded Fund (ETF). Because ETFs are listed on exchanges, you can buy and sell them in the same way you invest in shares or CFDs.

The SPDR Gold Shares ETF (GLD) is the largest gold ETF, with over US$ 65 billion in assets under management. This ETF is physically backed by gold bars held in vaults, and charges a 0.40% annual management fees to cover its expenses. The iShares Gold Trust (IAU) is the second largest gold ETF and has a low 0.25% annual management fee.

Physically-backed gold ETFs are suitable for long-term investors who expect the price of gold to continue rising. If you're interested in investing in gold through an ETF, we suggest contacting your preferred broker to check whether this product is available through their service.

Shares in gold miners

Alternatively, you could buy shares in gold mining companies, or CFDs on those shares, to benefit from higher gold prices. However, share prices are driven by many factors above and beyond the price of gold. You should carefully assess the companies you plan to invest in on their own merits. A company's management team, the strength of its balance sheet and operations are some of the factors to consider.

Gold bullions (bars or coins)

Last but not least, you've probably herd of the gold bars held by central banks. These gold bricks weigh a standard 400 oz or 12.4 kg. However, gold bars come in many different sizes and shapes, from just 1 gram to 1 kilogram.

If you can't afford a gold bar, you could purchase gold coins instead. Examples include the American Golden Eagle, the Australian Gold Nugget and the British Sovereign. Some of these coins, called numismatic coins, are more expensive than others because they have rarity value as collectibles.

Together, gold bars and coins are known as bullions. You can even buy them online without having to visit a shop. However, you'll need to carefully consider where to store your gold: at home, or in a safe deposit box with a bank for example. You may also want to consider specialised insurance to protect your investment from loss or theft. Together, storage and insurance costs can add up over time.