Gold demand is strong despite a volatile year. Here’s how to buy.

From first-time buyers to retirement savers, many Americans are turning to gold as a hedge against uncertainty. Gold prices climbed to historic highs earlier this year as investors flocked to safe-haven assets amid global conflicts and political uncertainty.

Since then, prices have seen significant ups and downs as investors weigh competing factors, including geopolitical tensions, inflation and interest rates. Despite this volatility, demand for gold remains strong, as many investors continue to view it as a long-term store of value.

If you’re considering buying gold in 2026, here’s a primer on what’s driving prices, what kind of gold to buy and how to buy it safely.

Gold has had a volatile year. Global conflicts and political uncertainty fueled gold’s all-time highs over $5,000 per ounce in early 2026. Prices trended down through much of the summer, with June and July’s gold prices hovering around $4,000 per ounce. One major reason for this summer sell-off was expectations for higher interest rates, which can make bonds and other interest paying investments more attractive than gold.

Prices lifted again in August, driven by ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, including the Iran war, as well as high buying from central banks and strong investor demand. Still…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/money/