Gold price today, Wednesday, December 24: Gold opens above $4,500 for the second consecutive day

Group 1: Gold Price Trends - Gold futures opened at $4,516.70 per troy ounce, reflecting a 0.2% increase from the previous day's closing price of $4,505.70, marking the second consecutive opening above $4,500 [1] - The one-week gain in gold prices is +4.8%, the one-month gain is +11.2%, and the one-year gain is +72.9%, indicating significant upward momentum in gold prices [7] Group 2: Geopolitical Influences - Geopolitical risks, particularly ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela, have contributed to rising gold prices, with Russia and China aligning with Venezuela amid U.S. sanctions [2] - Historical context shows that gold has been a popular hedge against global conflicts, with the Russia-Ukraine war and Middle Eastern unrest driving demand earlier this year [3] Group 3: Performance of Precious Metals - Silver prices have increased by 149% in 2025, while platinum prices have risen by 161%, showcasing strong performance across precious metals [3] Group 4: Investment Options in Gold - Common investment options in gold include physical gold, gold mining stocks, gold ETFs, and gold futures, each with distinct advantages and disadvantages [8][20] - Gold mining stocks are noted for their volatility due to their dependence on gold prices and exposure to geopolitical risks [12] - Gold ETFs, such as SPDR Gold Shares, track the price of gold and are backed by physical gold, providing a more liquid investment option compared to physical gold [18][22]