A slowing economic recovery, falling equities, trouble in Europe and a general feeling of concern pervading the markets have converged to send investors rushing to the safe-haven of gold exchange traded funds (ETFs). Gold prices are responding in kind.
Gold traded near a record in New York, moving as high as $1,263 an ounce, as investors sought an alternative to equities in an attempt to protect their wealth. Nicholas Larkin for Yahoo Finance reports that the view of gold is shifting: analysts feel gold is now trading like a currency instead of a commodity. [Top 5 ETFs In August.]
The largest physically-backed gold ETF SPDR Gold Shares (NYSEArca: GLD) is at record highs as well. The World Gold Council recently reported that ETFs were the largest contributor to gold’s price gains in the second quarter.
Bullion has jumped 15% this year and is set for a 10th annual gain as investors seek safety against financial turmoil in Europe and the prospect of slowing economic growth. [Do You Want To Own Gold?]
For more stories about gold, visit our gold category. There are numerous ways to play gold. According to the ETF Analyzer, nine gold ETFs are available, including these:
- Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF (NYSEArca: GDX)
- Market Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF (NYSEArca: GDXJ): Both GDX and GDXJ hold gold miner stocks; GDX is more heavily weighted in large-cap, while GDXJ holds small- and mid-cap mining companies
- ETFS Physical Swiss Gold Shares (NYSEArca: SGOL): Like GDL, SGOL holds physical gold
- PowerShares DB Gold (NYSEArca: DGL): DGL holds gold futures and it’s the only gold ETF to do so.
Tisha Guerrero contributed to this article.
The opinions and forecasts expressed herein are solely those of Tom Lydon, and may not actually come to pass. Information on this site should not be used or construed as an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation for any product.