Gold is on a record run — here's how to invest, according to experts

Core Insights - Gold prices have reached a new record, with a year-to-date increase of approximately 35%, now trading near $3,600 per ounce [2][4] - Investors are increasingly viewing gold as a safe-haven asset amid economic uncertainty and expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut [2][4] Investment Trends - Ongoing purchases by global central banks and geopolitical tensions are expected to drive demand for gold [5] - Experts recommend investing in gold through exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that track physical gold prices, rather than purchasing physical gold [6][7] Investment Strategies - SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU) are identified as the largest gold ETFs, offering liquidity and cost efficiency [7] - Physical gold ownership is considered inefficient due to higher transaction costs and storage issues, while gold mining stocks are more influenced by business fundamentals than gold prices [8] Portfolio Recommendations - Financial advisors generally suggest limiting gold exposure to less than 3% of an overall investment portfolio [10] - The unpredictable nature of gold as a commodity makes it challenging to determine its fundamental value [10]