Gold edged higher on Friday, after hitting a two-week low in the previous session, but easing trade tensions and a strong jobs report kept prices on track for a second consecutive weekly loss.
Spot gold was up 0.5% at $3,255.01 an ounce as of 9:41 a.m. ET (1341 GMT), after hitting its lowest since April 14 on Thursday. Prices were down 2.1% for the week, after hitting a record high of $3,500.05 on April 22.
“Gold looks like $3,500 may be a top for a little while, especially if some trade deals start to come through and some risk on appetite starts to break through the kind of negative euphoria that we’ve been seeing since the tariff talks,” said Daniel Pavilonis, senior market strategist at RJO Futures.
Spot silver edged 0.1% lower to $32.35 an ounce, platinum rose 1% to $967.70, and palladium gained 0.9% to $949.00.
The footage played at their trial at Oxford Crown Court showed two vehicles driving across the Great Courtyard, before hooded individuals armed with sledgehammers and a large crowbar broke into the palace. One could be seen leaving carrying a golden toilet seat.
The fully functioning lavatory was insured for the sum of $6m (£4.8m), the court heard previously.
“They knew precisely where to go, broke down the wooden door to the cubicle where the toilet was fully plumbed in, removed it, leaving water pouring out of the pipes, and drove away,” prosecutor Julian Christopher KC said previously.
“Clearly such an audacious raid would not have been possible without lots of preparation”, he added,
I will follow this till the end of the trial. I want to know what happened to the toilet! Maybe you do too. Clearly had to have been planned and to have done it so quickly, from the video evidence anyway. Let’s see what happens. -V.
Did you know that during the 2008 financial crisis, while the S&P 500 dropped by 38.5%, gold prices increased by 5.5%? This stark contrast highlights why more people are turning to precious metals IRAs to diversify their retirement portfolios. There’s never been a more critical time to consider this powerful retirement strategy.
Let me share something that might surprise you: many people don’t realize that they can hold physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium in their retirement accounts! Whether you’re worried about inflation, market volatility, or simply want to diversify your retirement savings, a precious metals IRA could be your answer.
Holding precious metals is what I’m doing to put into an IRA for my future. There are more and more people, of all ages, that are thinking or doing this or are already doing this. It’s never to late and again in these uncertain times so it’s wise to start thinking ahead.
Let’s dive into everything you need to know about securing your retirement with this unique investment vehicle.
What Is a Precious Metals IRA?
A precious metals IRA, also known as a gold IRA, is a specialized individual retirement account that allows you to hold physical precious metals as part of your retirement portfolio. I remember when I first learned about these accounts – I was honestly skeptical! But after seeing how they’ve helped protect peoples wealth during market downturns, I became a true believer.
Operates similarly to traditional IRAs but holds physical precious metals
Offers the same tax advantages as conventional IRAs
Requires a specialized custodian who handles storage and compliance
Follows specific IRS regulations regarding metal purity and storage
Can be established as traditional or Roth IRA
Eligible Precious Metals for Your IRA
Let me tell you about a mistake I realized when I started doing research about gold IRAs. I was looking to purchase some beautiful collectible gold coins for a future IRA, not realizing till later, that it wouldn’t qualify! The IRS has strict requirements about which metals can be included in your precious metals IRA.
Gold must be 99.5% pure (except American Gold Eagles)
Silver must be 99.9% pure
Platinum must be 99.95% pure
Palladium must be 99.95% pure
Approved coins and bullion include:
American Eagle coins (gold, silver, platinum)
Canadian Maple Leaf coins
Austrian Philharmonic coins
Australian Kangaroo/Nugget coins
Several types of bars and rounds meeting purity requirements
Setting Up Your Precious Metals IRA
The setup process is actually simpler than most people think! As I am learning it seems overwhelming but it’s actually quite straightforward when broken down.
Choose a Custodian
Research reputation and track record
Compare fees and services
Check customer reviews and ratings
Verify IRS approval status
Fund Your Account
Roll over existing retirement accounts
Make new contributions
Transfer from another IRA
Consider contribution limits
Select Your Metals
Work with approved dealers
Choose eligible products
Consider diversification strategy
Review premium over spot prices
Storage Requirements and Options
Here’s something that will surprise many of us – you can’t keep your IRA-held precious metals in your home safe! The IRS requires specific storage arrangements, and getting this wrong can result in painful tax consequences.
Must use IRS-approved depositories
Segregated or non-segregated storage options
Regular auditing and insurance requirements
Geographic location considerations
Security and access protocols
Tax Benefits and Considerations
One aspect I have grown to like about precious metals IRAs is their tax advantages. Just like traditional IRAs, they offer powerful tax benefits that can help accelerate your wealth building.
Tax-deferred growth potential
Possible tax deductions for contributions
Roth IRA options available
Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) rules
Early withdrawal penalties and exceptions
Costs and Fees to Consider
Let’s talk money – because understanding the full cost structure is crucial for making an informed decision. I encourage everyone to look beyond just the obvious fees. *these may or may not be subject to change*
Setup fees ($50-$300)
Annual custodian fees ($75-$300)
Storage fees (0.5-1% of assets annually)
Transaction fees for buying/selling
Insurance costs
Dealer premiums over spot prices
Investment Strategies and Portfolio Allocation
Through research, I’ve learned that successful precious metals IRA investing isn’t just about buying gold – it’s about strategic allocation and understanding your goals.
Recommended allocation percentages (typically 5-15% of portfolio)
Rebalancing strategies
Market timing considerations
Long-term vs. short-term planning
Risk management techniques
Conclusion
Securing your retirement with a precious metals IRA can be a smart move in today’s uncertain economic environment. Whether you’re looking to protect against inflation, diversify your portfolio, or simply add a tangible asset to your retirement savings, a precious metals IRA offers unique advantages worth considering.
Remember, the key to success is working with reputable custodians, understanding the rules and requirements, and maintaining a balanced approach to your overall retirement strategy.
Consider speaking with a financial advisor to determine if a precious metals IRA aligns with your retirement goals and risk tolerance. It never hurts to ask questions it will only benefit you.
Ready to take the next step? Start by researching IRS-approved custodians and comparing their services and fees.
Your future self might thank you for taking this important step toward securing your retirement!
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE
This article is for informational and educational purposes only. I am not a financial advisor, investment advisor, or registered broker. The content provided here reflects personal research and opinion and should not be considered professional financial advice.
Any investment decisions you make should be based on your own research or consultation with a qualified financial professional who can review your personal situation, goals, and risk tolerance. Investment in precious metals, including gold, carries risk and past performance does not guarantee future results.
Examples, statistics, and scenarios mentioned in this article are for illustration purposes only. Your actual investment needs and suitable portfolio allocations may differ significantly based on your individual circumstances.
Always conduct thorough due diligence and consult with licensed financial, investment, tax, and legal professionals before making any investment decisions. This is especially important for retirement planning and precious metals investments.
By reading this article, you acknowledge that any actions you take based on this information are at your own risk.
Spot gold, which dipped 0.5% to $2,904.51 an ounce as of 1211 GMT, has gained over 10% year-to-date. It hit a record high of $2,956.15 on February 24.
U.S. gold futures also dropped 0.5% to $2,912.10.
“Gold seems to be experiencing profit-taking as investors closely watch tariff developments with prices trading toward $2,900 ahead of the non-farm payrolls report,” Lukman Otunuga, senior research analyst at FXTM, said.
Platinum prices were flat at $964.68 per ounce.
Spot silver dipped 0.7% to $32.39 an ounce and palladium shed 0.5% to $937.74.
Goldman Sachs is tipping a continued rise in Newmont’s share price with a target for its New York listed shares set at $47.20, up 17% on last sales at $40.23 while the company’s Australian listed shares are forecast to rise from A$64.80 to A$76.20.
Strong central bank demand is expected to continue lifting the gold price towards $3000 an ounce from its current $2670/oz, according to Goldman Sachs
“We expect our Australian gold coverage is set for a growing cash harvest over the next 12-months as price increases outweigh cost escalations, supporting further balance sheet strength, growing capital returns and prospective merger and acquisition activity,” Goldman Sachs said.
Spot gold fell 0.1% to $2,916.75 an ounce as of 11:55 a.m. ET (1655 GMT), after rising in the last three sessions. U.S. gold futures were flat at $2,925.
“We are just seeing some mild profit-taking pressure from recent gains, the underlying fundamentals are still bullish… Another thing that’s putting some mild pressure on the gold market is a rise in bond yields,” said Jim Wyckoff, senior market analyst at Kitco Metals.
The benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury yield hit a more than one-week high, reducing the appeal of non-yielding gold.
Spot silver dipped 0.2% to $32.70 an ounce, palladium was steady at $942.25 and platinum was down 0.3% at $966.63.
