What is the Gold Spot price?

When looking into gold investments, you’ll often see gold prices expressed as a “spot price”, but when purchasing gold for investment you may find that prices are higher.

So what exactly is the gold “spot price”? The spot price is the common standard price for a set quantity (usually an ounce or gram) of investment-grade gold. The spot price of gold, like anything else, changes depending on the markets, the economy as a whole, currency values and current events, and may be different in different countries. During market hours these prices often change every couple of seconds, although truly dramatic changes of more than a few pence don’t often occur.

In more general terms, the spot price of a commodity is the price at which a commodity is immediately sold and delivered at the present second. This is in comparison to futures contracts and prices, which specify prices for whatever you’re buying at a future delivery date.

Investopedia explains the concept of a spot price here.

Can I buy gold bars at the spot price?

Understanding spot price

Private investors are usually unable to buy gold at the spot price for a number of reasons. Gold at the spot price can only be bought and sold in the form of Good Delivery bars, which are a specific kind of gold bar with specific standards distributed by the professional bullion dealing community, the UK wing of which is the London Bullion Market Association.

A useful benchmark

LBMA members can then deal gold to private investors, who cannot buy gold from the source on their own. Generally speaking, the spot price is used as a benchmark to illustrate fluctuations in the value of gold. There are some ways to buy as close as possible to spot which those buying gold for investment will need. Some forms of gold command much lower premiums than others. This varies by dealer, but bullion coins or smaller denominations of gold often have higher premiums than if one is to buy gold bars.

Turning a profit

That being said the true value and cost of your investment isn’t purely based on the premium you pay over the spot price. At some point, you will need to sell your gold and as such you will need a selling price as close to or over the spot price as possible. The difference between the price you pay when buying your gold and the price you get back when selling your gold is what we call the “spread”. The spread is the most important element of the transaction. Some gold companies may offer low buying premiums with very low prices when you sell back (i.e below the spot price) and this will widen the spread of your investment.

Doing your research

When choosing your outlet (online or retail) do some research first to make sure they are a reputable retailer. Check customer referrals, customer feedback, and membership and accreditation (for example the Royal Numismatic Society and British Numismatic Society, both of which promote the study and understanding of coins and currency units).

Example:

1 kg Gold Bars
Buy: 4% over spot
Sell: 3% under spot
Spread: 7%

32 x Gold 1oz Britannia
Buy: 5% over spot
Sell: 2% over spot
Spread: 3%

You can see that by purchasing a large gold bar you receive a lower gold premium (closer to spot price) but when selling your gold you receive less than the spot price owing to lower demand for these bars. Furthermore you don’t have any flexibility of selling a part of your investment as you only have one bar. When purchasing gold coins or gold Britannia coins the premium you pay is more but when you sell you get more for your gold thereby narrowing the spread and cost of your investment.

Other considerations

Pricing fluctuations

While buying gold, ensure you keep up to date with the spot price and potential influencing factors like politics. Major political and economic events will often heavily influence gold price, so pick your moment to buy to make sure you get as good a price as possible.

Tracking additional costs

It’s also important to know the additional costs associated with gold investment. Many gold dealers charge for shipping, handling, storage, credit card use and a dozen other hidden costs besides, so if you’re looking to maximise your investments make sure you know them all and what you’re buying. The Pietra Sussan Company offers complimentary storage and delivery on many kinds of gold purchase, and will advise you on avoiding these extra costs and what kind of gold investment works best for you.

Sizing your investment

It’s also a good idea to try and buy in bulk, keep a weather eye out for sales deals and special offers, and try to purchase ‘used’ gold where possible, as prices may be lower than on pristine newly forged gold bars. That being said, it’s important that you only get started with an amount that makes you feel comfortable. It’s more prudent to start small and pay a little more than jump in with both feet to get a better price only to get cold feet after you have purchased.

Buying at spot price from The Pietra Sussan Company

Like all bullion dealers, The Pietra Sussan Company cannot offer gold at the specific spot price. We aim, however, to not only minimise the cost of any transaction with our complimentary storage and delivery but also to provide a full service to potential gold investors, providing guidance, a watertight buy-back guarantee and a convenient buying and selling service that makes it easy to invest, liquidate and make your gold work for you. In addition, you can sell your gold to us at the market spot price when the time comes to liquidate it, ensuring that your investment will work for you as efficiently as possible.

For more information on buying investment gold and spot prices, take a look at our gold price charts or , contact The Pietra Sussan Company today for consultation and advice on securing your wealth with physical gold.

Four simple steps to buying physical gold and silver

Have all your questions answered

by your personal advisor on a no-obligation telephone call.

Complete a simple purchase order

when you are ready, and decide if and where you would like your metals stored.

Invest in your bespoke portfolio

by bank transfer, locking in your purchase price.

Safe storage or insured delivery

Choose to have your investment safely stored in a Secure Vault facility or arrange an Insured Delivery to your home.

Why choose The Pietra Sussan Company?

A reputable and fully accredited company

DOWNLOAD OUR INVESTOR GUIDE

The Pietra Sussan Company is an established UK gold dealer, with over 15 years’ experience in precious metal investment. We encourage all our clients to leave independent reviews and to date we boast a five-star service from UK business leaders. We are proud members of the Royal Numismatic Society, British Numismatic Society, British Chamber of Commerce and the Information Commissioner. We are often featured in the press as a thought leader and can be seen in the FT, Daily Mail, Reuters, WSJ, Money Week, Observer, Guardian, Your Money and others.