You will need to have an account with a stock broker Cheap J.T. Compher Shirt , since ETF’s trade like a stock. You will also need to do some research, because not all gold ETF’s invest the same way. Some buy gold bullion, store it and sell shares based on some fraction of an ounce of gold. SPDR Gold Trust (GLD) is set up this way.


Others, like ProShares Ultra Gold (UGL) Cheap Carl Soderberg Shirt , use financial instruments like futures and options contracts to try and match the movement of the gold market. UGL actually attempts to move with twice the return of gold’s price movements.


Still other ETF’s invest in gold mining shares. These will tend to fluctuate in a different manner than spot gold, since mining stocks can go up or down depending on many factors rather than just the price of gold.


Gold Mutual Funds are another way to invest in gold without physically holding it. They may invest in multiple gold mining companies as well as ETF’s, options and futures. Mutual funds are a bit different than stocks and ETF’s. You can’t just go online and buy immediately. When you place your order, your buy price will be the fund price at the end of that trading day. Once again Cheap Blake Comeau Shirt , do your homework. Some mutual funds also charge a “load”, which is a fee either when purchasing, when selling or even both ways. There are many “no load” funds as well so chack carefully before investing.


Of course, you can purchase shares of gold mining companies directly on many stock exchanges. Once again Cheap Alexander Kerfoot Shirt , you need to do your homework, because companies range in size from a Barrick Gold (NYSE: ABX) which produces and sells millions of ounces per year to smaller companies which may own some claims, but have not yet produced an ounce of gold. Some of these smaller companies trade very few shares, so if you own them Cheap Sven Andrighetto Shirt , you may not be able to sell them at a reasonable price in a hurry.


Stored gold is another way to purchase gold without the problems of storage. Companies like the Perth Mint and Bullionvault allow you to purchase gold which is then stored in your name in their vaults.


Gold futures contracts are still another way of investing in the price movement of gold without actually taking possession of it. Putting down as little as 10% of the value, you are able to control a large amount of gold. The problem with futures is that even though you can make a lot of money if gold is going in your direction, you can lose a bunch if it goes against you. Since you are only putting up 10% of the value, if the price of gold goes down 5-10% Cheap Tyson Barrie Shirt , you may lose some or all of your investment. Futures are NOT for the inexperienced.


If you want to hold your gold in your hands, then you have a couple of choices. First, rare gold coins have value not only as gold, but also as a collectible. You can expect to pay much more than bullion value for scarce gold coins Cheap Semyon Varlamov Shirt , but you should also be able to sell them at a premium. There are a couple of things to take into consideration here. Counterfeit coins are common.