As of early January 2026, the spot price for gold is fluctuating, with figures around $4,500 - $4,600 USD per ounce, showing significant gains year-over-year, influenced by geopolitical factors, while prices in AUD are around $6,300 - $6,800 per ounce, with analysts like HSBC predicting potential rises to $5,000/oz in 2026.
So, if economic anxiety sticks around, gold's value could stay strong or even climb higher. If you need extra money right now, selling some gold could make sense. However, if your finances are stable, holding onto it may prove more savvy in the long run.
Quick Take: 10 Years of Investing in Gold
Ten years ago, the price of gold had an average closing price of $1,159 per ounce. Today, it's worth about $4,200 per ounce — a 262% increase in value. So, if you had invested $1,000 in gold a decade ago, it would be worth approximately $3,620 today.
For large-scale investors then, gold bars offer the cheapest option normally. For investors who prefer smaller units however, gold coins may be a better choice. part-selling which is often an effective way of getting a maximum return on investment.
Gold could hit $5,000 an ounce in first half of 2026, says HSBC. Jan 8 (Reuters) - Gold prices could rise to $5,000 an ounce in the first half of 2026 on geopolitical risks and rising debt, HSBC said on Thursday.
The value of your Costco gold bar is directly tied to the spot price of gold — the current market price for one troy ounce of pure gold. Most Costco bars contain 1 troy ounce of 99.99% pure gold, so determining their value is simple: multiply the current spot price by the bar's weight in ounces.
Gold's real all-time high is $4,058.98 per ounce, which was the metal's intraday high in October 2025. Even if we adjust historical gold prices for inflation, gold's highest price ever is still its October of 2025.
January and February - Post-Holiday Market Adjustments
The beginning of the year often offers stable prices following the holiday season. In January and February, consumer demand for gold temporarily softens, leading to steady or even lower prices.
Gold doesn't pay income, but it offers inflation protection, portfolio stability, and diversification. We believe gold belongs in every investor's portfolio and super fund. At Stockspot, we recommend holding 14.8% of your portfolio in gold.
Gold and silver traded mixed on Thursday after a volatile week. Gold prices slipped on the MCX amid pressure from strong U.S. economic data and a firmer dollar, while silver edged higher after sharp losses in the previous session.
Gold prices posted continuous gains in 2025, climbing as much as 55% and surpassing $4,000/oz for the first time in October. Trade concerns, reduced demand for the U.S. dollar and increased central bank buying combined to create ideal conditions for this historic upswing.
Although it is generally considered a safe investment, this doesn't mean that there is no risk involved in gold trading and investing. When the stock market is rising, the price of gold can decline.
Warren Buffett avoids investing in gold due to its lack of practical uses and inherent value. Buffett favors silver because it fulfills value investing principles, with its use in industrial and medical applications. Gold, largely used for jewelry, lacks the practical applications Buffett seeks in an investment.
If you put $1,000 into Coca-Cola stock 20 years ago, it would be worth about $6,200 today, good for an annualized total return of 9.6%. The same amount invested in the S&P 500 would theoretically be worth about $7,900 today.
Despite extreme volatility, Bitcoin's price has skyrocketed 1,060% in the past five years as I write this. This monster gain would've turned a $10,000 initial capital outlay in October 2020 to a whopping $115,700 on Oct. 6.