Is it worth investing in gold? Answers to the main questions

The information in this material is not an investment recommendation.

In 2025, gold has already updated its maximum value several times, rising above the level of $ 4,400 per ounce. Since the beginning of the year, its price has increased by 64.7%. At the same time, silver reached new heights, surpassing the historical mark of $51 per ounce. How to invest in precious metals and what nuances should be taken into account — in the Izvestia article.

Which metals are increasing in price?

• In 2025, amid the continuing instability of global markets, investors' interest in metals has noticeably increased. In mid-October, gold reached a historic high, breaking the $4,380 per ounce mark and gaining almost 65% since the beginning of the year. The total market value of the precious metal has exceeded $30 trillion for the first time, making it the most expensive asset in the world.

• In terms of capitalization, gold now exceeds bitcoin by more than 14 times and is valued above the combined value of the largest technology giants. Such rapid growth is associated, in particular, with increased geopolitical risks, currency fluctuations and large-scale trade conflicts. Against this background, the demand for gold has increased rapidly, especially in Asia.

• Gold remains the main focus of attention, but other metals have also shown significant growth. Silver confidently overcame the level of $51 per ounce and reached its highest levels in the last 14 years. Aluminum, in turn, rose to its highest levels in three years, approaching $2,800 per ton.

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• What is happening is not a short-term market surge. The surge in prices indicates profound structural changes in the commodity sectors. In particular, for silver, the key growth factor is the combination of record industrial demand caused by the acceleration of the energy transition and its traditional status as a reliable protective asset. Aluminum is strengthening its position due to its high demand in the production of vehicles, renewable energy sources and technologies, where lightness and recyclability play a critical role.

What are the conditions for anonymized metal accounts?

• An impersonal metal account allows you to earn money by changing the value of precious metals without actually owning physical gold, silver, platinum or palladium. In fact, this is an account that records not the amount in rubles or dollars, but the amount of metal in grams or ounces. When opening an account, the bank "buys" a certain amount of metal for the client at the current market price, but the metal itself is not transferred to the hands, but exists only as a record.

• The profitability of such an account depends entirely on the dynamics of market quotations. If the price of the metal increases, the value of the account increases, and the investor makes a profit when selling or closing the account. If the quotes decrease, the amount decreases, and the client can fix the loss. Unlike regular deposits, where the bank pays fixed interest, depersonalized metal accounts do not have guaranteed returns. Here, the result is determined solely by the movement of the metal price in the market.

• The terms of such accounts may differ from bank to bank. Usually, the minimum entry amount is small, and you can open an account in both national and foreign currencies. The client has the right to replenish the account, sell a part of the metal or completely close it at the current quote. Early closure is possible, but in this case the bank will recalculate the value of the metal at the price at the time of the transaction, and not at the purchase price. There may also be fees for account management and transactions.

What are the pros and cons of investment coins?

• Another investment method is the purchase of investment coins. Such coins are made of gold, silver, platinum or palladium of high quality and are issued in limited editions by state mints. By purchasing them, the investor receives a liquid asset with proven authenticity and established breakdown.

• The main advantage of this option is that coins can be purchased at a bank or from an authorized dealer, and when the market price of the metal increases, they can easily be sold back. They do not require complex maintenance, do not lose value with stable demand for precious metals, and their value is formed from a market quotation and a small production margin.

• Coins require careful handling, as the slightest scratches or loss of the original packaging reduce their value when sold. It is advisable to store such assets in special capsules or in a safe deposit box in order to preserve their presentation.

Is it worth buying physical gold?

• Buying gold from a bank is one of the most common ways to invest in precious metals. You can make a purchase for storage in a bank or at home. The bank is responsible for its safety, keeps records and, as a rule, charges a fee for maintenance or storage. If a person decided to take the ingot for himself, then earlier in this case it was necessary to pay VAT in the amount of 20%. This significantly increased the actual cost of the investment. However, in 2022, this tax on the purchase of precious metals in bullion for individuals was abolished.

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• Each ingot has an individual number, a certificate of authenticity, and manufacturer information. This guarantees the possibility of its reverse implementation. However, it is not always easy to sell gold. The Bank accepts bullion at internal quotations, which are usually lower than market prices, and often imposes safety requirements such as the original packaging and the absence of mechanical damage. When selling a gold bullion, an individual is required to pay income tax in the amount of 13% of the difference between the sale price and the purchase price if the metal has been owned for less than three years.

Is it worth investing in precious metals?

• It is reasonable for citizens to use ruble-denominated bank deposits for short-term savings, while it is better to achieve long-term goals through investments in federal loan bonds and gold, the Ministry of Finance believes. Gold should be considered as an analog of a deposit intended for long-term storage, rather than for daily trading, since frequent operations lead to high transaction costs and possible losses. OFZs are also a suitable tool for long-term investments, providing stability and long-term capital protection.

• In general, investing in precious metals against the background of their historical highs can be considered as a way to diversify the portfolio and protect capital from inflation. Gold and silver traditionally retain their value even in unstable global markets. Long-term price growth is almost guaranteed, but pauses and corrections are possible in short intervals. The moment for profit-taking has already arrived, especially if the purchase was at high prices.

When writing the material, Izvestia interviewed:

• financial analyst, Candidate of Economic Sciences Mikhail Belyaev.