For investors who want to add gold to their portfolios, exchange-traded funds offer an easy way to do it.
Just be sure to keep your expectations in check and know what it can mean for your tax situation, experts say. Depending on how the ETF is structured, any gains may be taxed at a different — and sometimes higher — rate than you expected. And while gold can offer a store of value during turbulent market times, the price tends to be volatile.
“It’s going to bounce up and down, and it’s not always going to work in your favor,” said Dan Sotiroff, senior analyst at Morningstar.
Why gold is drawing ETF investors
The value of one troy ounce (32.1 grams) of gold has skyrocketed over the last year, jumping nearly 60% to $4,204 at Tuesday’s market close from $2,638 a year ago. In comparison, the Standard & Poor’s 500 index has climbed about 12.9% in that time, closing Tuesday at 6829.37. The surge in price has been attributed to a variety of factors, including increasing demand from both central banks and individual investors — for the latter, that has included investing through ETFs.
Nevertheless, it’s typically a good idea to limit your investment to no more than 5% of your portfolio, said certified financial planner David Rosenstrock, director of financial planning and investments at Wharton Wealth Planning in New York. He generally doesn’t recommend including gold in investment portfolios.
Over the long term, “gold tends to underperform asset classes like stocks and bonds quite noticeably,” Rosenstrock said. “While a small percentage difference in annual returns might not seem significant, it can greatly affect an account balance when compounded over many years.”
Some ETFs invest directly in physical gold
If you do decide you want to invest in gold, ETFs offer a way to do so without having to physically own the gold yourself. Like all ETFs, they trade throughout the day like stocks. Most are passively managed, meaning they track an index and its performance, for better or worse.
These funds also are a small slice of the ETF universe, with roughly a few dozen in existence compared with the total number of ETFs — more than 4,300, according to Morningstar Direct data.
Some ETFs invest directly in gold bullion. Each ETF share represents a certain amount of that physical gold. The largest one of these is SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) with $140 billion in assets, Sotiroff said.
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If you invest in one of these ETFs through a taxable brokerage account, be aware that any profit when you sell may be taxed differently than gains on other investments like stocks and bonds, said CFP Patrick Huey, owner and principal advisor with Victory Independent Planning in Naples, Florida.
However, even if you hold on to your gold ETF for more than a year, typical long-term capital gains tax rates — which are 0%, 15% or 20%, depending on your income — do not apply.
“From a tax standpoint, [gold is] treated as a collectible by the IRS, so long-term gains … are taxed at a maximum rate of 28%,” Huey said.
That holds true even if you invest in gold through an ETF. Investors with incomes that fall into higher tax brackets end up paying that rate.
Other ways to invest in gold through ETFs
You can also invest in gold through another type of ETF: Those that invest in gold futures contracts — for example, Invesco DB Gold Fund (ticker: DGL).
“These funds use derivatives rather than hold physical gold,” Huey said.
That also results in an unusual tax treatment. Generally speaking, gains on these gold futures ETFs “are governed by the IRS’s so-called 60/40 rule,” Huey said.
This means that whatever long-term gains tax you’re subject to will apply to 60% of the gain, and ordinary tax rates will apply to 40% of it, no matter how long you’ve held the ETF.
Another route to investing in gold via ETFs is through those that invest in gold-mining companies, such as VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX).
“The basic idea is it’s an indirect exposure to gold; the benefits to the mining businesses are tied to the price of gold,” said Sotiroff, of Morningstar.
However, he said, the prices tend to be “extremely volatile.”
“And you’re getting exposure to businesses, not just to a yellow rock,” Sotiroff said.
In other words, you are investing in companies — which means you should be confident in the sector’s future prospects for profits and growth.
For these gold-mining ETFs, any profits you reap would be taxed at normal short- and long-term gains rates.
The 2026 residential real estate market presents a nuanced landscape for homebuyers, current homeowners, and property investors. With benchmark mortgage rates adjusting alongside Treasury yield movements, real estate strategies require careful evaluation of borrowing costs, local market supply dynamics, and long-term home equity management.
Adapting Homebuying Strategies to Mortgage Dynamics
Prospective homebuyers are adapting to fixed 30-year mortgage rates hovering between 6.0% and 6.8%. While borrowing costs are elevated compared to historical lows seen in prior decades, moderating home price growth across several regional markets is creating selective opportunities for buyers with strong credit profiles.
Homebuyers are increasingly utilizing strategic mortgage options:
– Builder Rate Buydowns: Purchasing new construction homes where developers offer temporary or permanent interest rate buydowns to lower initial monthly payments.
– Adjustable-Rate Mortgages (ARMs): Selecting 5/1 or 7/1 hybrid ARMs with strict rate caps for short-to-medium-term housing plans.
– Points and Financing Structure: Evaluating upfront discount point purchases to secure lower fixed interest rates over the loan term.
Home Equity Utilization and Renovation Financing
For existing homeowners holding low-rate legacy mortgages, moving to a new property often entails relinquishing favorable debt terms. Consequently, many homeowners are choosing to renovate and expand existing properties rather than sell.
Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOCs) and home equity loans allow homeowners to access accumulated property equity for capital improvements without disturbing their primary mortgage rate. Utilizing home equity for value-adding property renovations can enhance living space while increasing long-term property values.
Strategic Real Estate Investment Guidelines
For residential property investors, achieving positive cash flow requires strict underwriting standards:
– Stress-Test Operating Expenses: Factor in rising property insurance premiums, local property taxes, and ongoing maintenance reserves.
– Focus on High-Growth Rental Markets: Target regions experiencing steady job growth and sustained tenant demand.
– Maintain Cash Buffers: Ensure property portfolios maintain dedicated emergency reserves to navigate unexpected vacancy periods or major repairs.
Actionable Homeownership Steps
1. Evaluate Complete Monthly Housing Costs: Assess property taxes, homeowners insurance, and HOA fees alongside principal and interest.
2. Leverage Renovation Equity Carefully: Utilize equity loans strategically for renovations that generate long-term property value.
3. Prioritize Credit Score Optimization: Secure top-tier credit scores prior to mortgage pre-approval to qualify for competitive lender pricing tiers.
The United States Department of State has officially implemented a revised visa policy introducing a mandatory posting requirement for caution payments of up to $20,000 on select foreign travel applications. Under the updated regulatory framework, consular officials are authorized to require temporary nonimmigrant visa applicants from targeted foreign countries to post a refundable financial bond of $20,000 as a condition for visa issuance. The policy mechanism is designed to address diplomatic concerns regarding high overstay rates among temporary visitor, business, and educational visa categories.
The caution bond pilot program applies selectively to foreign nationals from designated countries whose diplomatic entities record historical visa overstay rates exceeding established federal thresholds. Under administrative guidelines published by the State Department, the full financial deposit is posted directly to a dedicated federal escrow account prior to final visa issuance. The entire caution payment is automatically refunded to the applicant upon verified proof of timely departure from the United States in strict compliance with the authorized duration of stay. Conversely, failure to depart within the legal timeframe results in full forfeiture of the posted financial bond to the United States government.
Diplomatic representatives and travel policy experts have expressed varying perspectives regarding the operational implementation of the caution bond system. Administration officials emphasize that the measure serves as an effective, market-based incentive to enforce international travel compliance and preserve domestic immigration security standards. However, international trade organizations and foreign diplomatic missions have raised concerns regarding the financial burden imposed on legitimate business travelers, foreign students, and commercial partners from developing nations.
The United States finalized the rule to make the temporary visa bond program permanent, taking effect on August 3, 2026. The updated permanent regulation replaces the prior 12-month pilot, eliminates the lowest $5,000 tier, and raises the maximum required bond amount to $20,000 for specific B-1/B-2 business and tourist visa applicants.
Here is the list of the 50 countries on the list as o August 3, 2026
Retirement planning strategies are evolving in 2026 to address increased life expectancies, shifting dynamic market conditions, and the transition away from traditional defined-benefit pensions. Individual investors and financial advisors are abandoning rigid retirement models in favor of flexible, multi-asset strategies designed to mitigate longevity risk and preserve purchasing power over multi-decade retirement horizons.
Mitigating Longevity Risk with Dynamic Asset Allocation
As average life expectancies extend past eighty-five years, one of the primary financial risks facing retirees is outliving their accumulated wealth. Traditional fixed income allocations—such as the standard 60/40 equity-to-bond portfolio—are being reevaluated to ensure portfolios generate sufficient capital growth alongside reliable income.
Financial planners recommend maintaining a meaningful equity allocation throughout retirement to offset long-term inflation erosion. High-dividend equity funds, global real estate investment trusts (REITs), and inflation-indexed Treasuries are combined to create diversified portfolios that deliver both growth and income stability.
The Transition to Dynamic Withdrawal Strategies
The classic “4% safe withdrawal rule” is increasingly replaced by dynamic withdrawal strategies that adapt annually based on market performance. Under a dynamic withdrawal framework, retirees adjust their annual distribution rates within pre-set caps and floors:
– Market Upside: During strong market returns, retirees can increase discretionary spending or fund family legacy gifts.
– Market Downturns: During market pullbacks, spending distributions are temporarily reduced to prevent sequence-of-returns risk and preserve core investment principal.
Guaranteed Lifetime Income Options and Deferred Annuities
To establish a guaranteed baseline for essential living expenses, individuals are incorporating modern fixed-indexed and deferred longevity annuities into their broader retirement architectures. Modern annuity structures offer competitive return caps, transparent fee schedules, and inflation-adjustment options.
By funding essential expenses—such as housing, healthcare, and insurance—with guaranteed income streams from Social Security, pensions, and annuities, retirees can manage discretionary investment portfolios with greater flexibility and lower emotional stress during market volatility.
Actionable Steps for Future Retirees
1. Calculate Baseline Retirement Expenses: Determine fixed living costs and map guaranteed income sources to cover essential expenditures.
2. Adopt Flexible Withdrawal Rules: Implement dynamic spending rules to protect investment principal against market downturns.
3. Incorporate Inflation-Protected Assets: Maintain exposure to dividend-growing equities and inflation-indexed bonds to safeguard long-term purchasing power.
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