3 gold investment types to consider for 2026, according to experts

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster):  Gold investors have plenty to celebrate this year and just as much to think about for the new year. 

Gold returns surpassed many other asset classes with a continued rally this year, and 2026 pricing predictions from major financial players are signaling continued strength. The price of gold today stands at $4,346.76 per ounce. With prices reaching those levels, the margin of error is shrinking, and strategy becomes king. As 2026 approaches, gold investors need a clear plan and that begins with knowing which types may be more advantageous. We spoke with three experts for their insights, broken down below into three specific gold investments worth considering now.

3 gold investment types to consider for 2026, according to experts

Not sure which gold investment makes sense for your investing plan next year? Here are three to consider now:

Gold bullion

Some gold investors prefer gold bullion for ease of access, but you may be able to include it as part of your investments through a gold IRA. "The IRS allows for IRAs (and 401(k)s for that matter) to buy, hold, and sell physical gold bullion products (coins, bars, rounds, etc.) that meet the minimum fineness requirement (.995+)," says Scott Maurer, CISP and Vice President of Business Development at Advanta IRA. "American gold eagles are also allowed, even though they do not meet the fineness requirement." 

Maurer also shared that an IRA invested in gold is entitled to the same tax advantages as one invested in stocks and other, more familiar publicly-traded securities.

That said, gold bullion is not always a cost-effective investment. In fact, experts we spoke with cautioned against investing in gold bullion due to added costs. "Entry and exit costs for gold and silver bullion and gold coins are prohibitive since trading spreads at a retail level are usually substantial, and guarantees of investment-level purity are uncertain," says Thomas Winmill, portfolio manager of the Midas Fund.

Gold ETFs

Alternatively, you could invest in gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs).  

"You can enter and exit quickly," explains Matthew Weinschenk, CFA, Director of Research and Senior Analyst at Stansberry Research, a MarketWise brand. "They track gold prices perfectly. And they have very low fees, especially compared to the transaction and storage costs of owning physical gold." 

Gold mutual funds

In a similar vein to ETFs, gold mutual funds allow you to invest in the asset. However, one of the main differences is that ETFs trade throughout the day, while mutual funds trade once per day. 

"If an investor is seeking gold as a hedge, a good vehicle would be a gold-oriented mutual fund," Winmill says. "It's designed to provide immediate diversification within the sector and continuous portfolio oversight, which are normally not practical for an individual investor." Winmill also suggests opting for a gold mining mutual fund as opposed to the direct asset. 

Courtesy: www.cbsnews.com