Gold Price Drops 0.48% in July 2025, Up 26.29% Year Over Year

As of 9:15 a.m. Eastern Time on July 17, 2025, the price of gold stood at $3,317 per ounce. This figure represents a decline of $16 from the same time yesterday and an increase of $872 compared to the price one year ago. The price of gold yesterday was $3,333, marking a 0.48% increase from one month ago when it was $3,391. Over the past year, the price has seen a significant increase of 26.29% from $2,445.

Gold has historically shown an upward trend in value, making it a popular choice for investors seeking to hedge against inflation. Many investors use a gold IRA to buy and hold gold, which can help stabilize a portfolio during market swings. It’s also a convenient option for those who want to avoid the hassle of storing physical gold. However, gold isn’t always the top performer. In times of economic strength, stocks can yield better returns both short and long term. Between 1971 and 2024, the average annual return for stocks was 10.7%, while gold averaged 7.9% annually. Nevertheless, gold is often favored as a low-risk asset during economic uncertainty. For this reason, some investors treat it more as a store of value than as a traditional investment like stocks or bonds.

The spot price of gold is the current price for immediate purchase or sale in the over-the-counter market. This price helps investors track gold demand and market trends in real time. In simple terms, a higher spot price indicates stronger demand for gold. Unlike futures, the spot price refers to immediate delivery. When the price for future delivery is higher than the spot price, it’s called contango, which is typical for commodities with storage costs. If the futures price is below the spot price, it’s known as backwardation. Numerous variables can affect the spot price, making it highly volatile. Investors in gold should be prepared for these price swings.

The price spread in gold trading is the difference between an asset’s buying price and its selling price. In gold markets, the ask price is the cost to purchase, while the bid price is what you’d get for selling. The bid is always lower than the ask. A smaller spread means the market is more liquid. When spreads are narrow, it usually points to increased gold demand.

Investing in gold can take various forms, including physical gold bars, coins, or jewelry. However, most gold trading happens through exchange-traded funds (ETFs). James Taska, a fee-based financial advisor, notes that it is much easier to rebalance a client’s allocation of gold if it is owned as an exchange-traded fund (ETF), and the spread when attempting to buy/sell gold can be quite variable and wide. Some common gold investment methods include gold bars, gold coins, gold jewelry, gold futures contracts, and gold funds.

Deciding if now is the best time to buy gold is subjective. Still, gold can help diversify your portfolio and reduce the impact of market volatility. Gold remains a stable choice amid today’s market turbulence. Prices have surged to record highs, up over 25% since early 2025, driven by inflation and uncertainty. Many experts see this as a good time to add gold for diversification. Silver, platinum, and palladium are also popular among investors. Gold is usually less volatile than silver, which can see significant price swings even within a day. Silver’s widespread industrial use makes it more sensitive to economic trends. Platinum and palladium share similar traits with silver. While they offer diversification benefits, they tend to be more volatile than gold.

The U.S. economy has been unsettled for some time, with persistent inflation making an impact. Gold can serve as a hedge against inflation in your portfolio. Thanks to various ways to buy, gold is accessible to investors of all experience levels. Whether using a gold IRA or a more active investment approach, gold can help achieve both short- and long-term goals. Many investors opt for gold ETFs, which provide a managed basket of easily traded assets. Gold is often chosen by those wanting to diversify and hedge against inflation. There are many straightforward ways to invest in gold. Gold coins are collectibles and may command a higher price per ounce than bars. Their collectible and historical value can make them appealing. U.S. minted coins may also help protect against counterfeit bars.