Is gold a good investment?

With former popular investments like ISAs and rental properties producing increasingly poor returns, and high levels of inflation devaluing money in the bank, many investors have begun to ask where their money is safe. Interest in gold investments is growing, but new investors might find themselves asking is gold a good investment? Below we’ll discuss why gold is a good investment, and where to start.

Gold has long been considered a smart asset to invest in. As both a hedge against inflation and a way to diversify your portfolio, the benefits of gold investment should be considered by anyone looking for a simple, safe way to protect and grow their money.

---

Why invest in gold?

With a huge range of investment options out there, why invest in gold? Gold has been a highly valued precious metal for most of human history. From the Egyptians, to the first Roman gold coins, right through to the current day; humans continue to have a fascination with the dense, yellow metal.

One of golds key strengths is its isolation from the trends of other markets. Historically, when the global economy has been in crisis, gold has remained strong (and even made significant gains). For example, the price of gold increased rapidly following the financial crisis in 2008/09 and remained high even as economies began to recover. In particular, gold typically makes gains during periods of rising inflation; as investors see that their money is losing value, they look to safer assets like gold that has proven its ability to maintain its value.

Unlike fiat money, which can be printed by banks as part of a quantitative easing program, gold is a limited resource. Increased demand from emerging markets, and gold’s use in the technology industry, mean that when coupled with the finite nature of the metal, the price of gold can always remain strong.

Owning physical gold is the ultimate way to control your investment. There is no third-party risk, and you can decide where, and for how long, to store your gold before you sell, whether you take possession or choose to use our secure storage service.

When you do decide to sell, this can be done quickly and simply using online dealers. At BullionByPost we buy gold back at competitive rates and list live buy-back prices on our site. This transparency makes it easy for customers to make an informed decision when it comes to selling.

---

Is it worth investing in gold?

Gold as an investment relies on an increase in value to make returns, rather than the annual yield you might see from stocks and shares or a property. For gold to reach its true potential it can take time, which is why gold is seen as a long-term investment. Gold has shown excellent performance since the 1970s, with a price per ounce that has steadily trended upwards, making it well worth investing in gold.

For a savvy investor, profits can be realised in relatively short periods of time. Awareness of gold’s performance, coupled with a reasonable knowledge of current affairs, can give investors the ability to spot prime opportunities of when to buy or sell their gold. At the BullionByPost news section we report on geopolitical and financial events that could have an impact on the gold market, helping our customers stay informed.

Ultimately though, gold is seen as a good long-term investment, protecting your money over the years. It offers strong potential returns, at low risk, and is the perfect way to diversify your portfolio and spread your exposure to any losses.

---

Is gold a good investment in 2023?

With gold reaching record highs in 2023 some investors have asked us whether gold is a good investment. The economic backdrop is strong for gold, inflation remains high, and central banks may soon be forced to pivot on interest rates as economic growth begins to stall. After a period of strength, the US dollar is expected to weaken on falling interest rates, which will help push gold even higher.

Demand from central banks, and investors for the precious metal also remains high and is helping to push gold on to new all-time highs. Read our full 2023 gold price forecast for more detail on why gold could be a good investment in 2023.

---

Investing in gold coins

Investment gold can take various forms; jewellery, bullion, ETFs or even investing in mining companies. All are ways to put your money into gold, but in the UK one of the best ways to invest in gold is to purchase UK coins.

Investing in gold coins offers tax benefits, with beautiful designs and national legacy providing a fun bonus to the investment. As legal tender, there are various British gold coins that enjoy tax benefits. Gold Britannia coins and Gold Sovereigns are both VAT-free when you buy, and Capital Gains Tax (CGT) exempt when you sell, saving you money when you buy and maximising the returns on your investment.

Learn more about the VAT benefits and CGT exemption of gold.

International coins are also a popular choice, with global recognition making them easy to sell. Countries around the world produce their own investment bullion coins, competing for a part of the growing market. Although no longer exempt from CGT, these international gold coins are still a good investment option.

---

Investing in gold bars

Another popular alternative to gold coins however is gold bars. The relatively simpler designs, and larger unit size, means that bars will typically have a lower premium than coins which can make investing in gold bars one of the most cost-efficient ways to invest in gold. Like coins they are also VAT-free but, unlike coins, gold bars are not exempt from CGT. Larger investors however looking for the absolute best price per gram will often choose gold bars.

---

Should I invest in gold?

One of the most common questions we get asked is 'Should I invest in gold?' As with any investment, the decision on where to put your money should be made only after careful consideration of the facts. At BullionByPost we recommend that up to 10% of your liquid wealth is kept in gold. Diversifying your portfolio reduces overall risks against the volatility in any market, and by investing in gold you can protect yourself against the wider economic fluctuations and uncertainties that many other assets are weakened by.