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Compare investment options, understand costs and risks, and choose the right approach for your goals.
Important Disclaimer
This is educational content only, not investment advice. All investments carry risk. Commodity investments can be volatile. Consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.
Buying physical gold bars or coins from dealers. You own the actual metal.
Use our Gold Value Calculator to compare dealer prices to melt value.
ETFs like GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) hold physical gold in vaults. Shares trade on stock exchanges like stocks.
Source: SPDR Gold Shares and iShares Gold Trust
Stocks of gold mining companies (Newmont, Barrick Gold, etc.) or mining sector ETFs like GDX (VanEck Gold Miners ETF).
COMEX gold futures and options allow leveraged exposure. Futures are standardized contracts for future delivery.
Source: CME Group Futures Education
Oil ETFs like USO (United States Oil Fund) hold crude oil futures contracts, not physical barrels. They track oil prices but don't hold the commodity itself.
Important: Oil ETFs can underperform spot prices significantly due to contango (when futures are priced higher than spot). Understand the structure before investing.
Oil and gas producer stocks (ExxonMobil, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, etc.) or sector ETFs like XLE (Energy Select Sector SPDR).
WTI and Brent crude futures on NYMEX and ICE. Standard contract size is 1,000 barrels.
Physical gold, gold ETFs, and gold futures are taxed as collectibles in the US, with a maximum long-term capital gains rate of 28% (higher than the 15-20% rate for stocks).
Gold mining stocks and oil stocks receive normal capital gains treatment (0%, 15%, or 20% depending on income).
Always consult a tax professional. Tax rules vary by country and individual circumstances.