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Gold’s Record Run in 2025: Here Are 3 Ways to Ride the Surge

Gold nuggets

Key Points

  • Gold has surged nearly 15% over the past month to approach $3,400 per ounce, fueled by safe-haven demand, geopolitical risks, and economic uncertainty.
  • Investors can gain exposure through the SPDR Gold Shares ETF (GLD), a popular gold ETF that closely tracks gold prices.
  • Other avenues include the VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX), up 50% YTD, or Newmont Corporation (NEM), which recently reported blowout earnings.
  • Interested in SPDR Gold Shares? Here are five stocks we like better.

Despite a brief pullback from recent highs, gold has been on a historic run in 2025, surging to record levels as investors flock to the precious metal as a haven. Gold broke above the $3,000 mark for the first time in March and rallied nearly 15% over the past month to touch a record high near $3,500. After dipping about 8% from its April 22 high, the metal has rebounded sharply and is now trading just below $3,400, within striking distance of its all-time peak.

So what’s fueling this surge, and more importantly, how can investors gain exposure?

What’s Driving Gold’s Massive Rally in 2025?

While U.S. economic concerns and trade tensions have contributed to gold's record-breaking rally, multiple global factors also contribute. One major driver has been aggressive central bank buying, particularly by China, which has increased its gold reserves for several months. This steady demand from sovereign entities has created a strong foundation of support.

Geopolitical instability has also been a powerful catalyst. Ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza and rising U.S.-China trade tensions have led investors to seek safer assets. Gold, with its centuries-long track record as a store of value, naturally benefits in times of heightened global uncertainty.

Adding fuel to the rally is the prospect of Federal Reserve rate cuts, following a key reduction in late 2024. Lower interest rates reduce the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets like gold, making it more attractive relative to bonds and other fixed-income investments.

Meanwhile, a weakening U.S. dollar,  driven by lower rates and economic uncertainty, has boosted gold’s appeal. Because gold is priced in dollars, a weaker dollar typically drives prices higher.

Finally, increased demand from retail and institutional investors, combined with growing industrial use of gold in technology, has added further momentum.

3 Ways to Gain Exposure to Gold

SPDR Gold Shares ETF:  Direct Exposure to Gold Prices

SPDR Gold Shares Today

SPDR Gold Shares stock logo
GLDGLD 90-day performance
SPDR Gold Shares
$310.75 -4.73 (-1.50%)
As of 05/7/2025 04:10 PM Eastern
52-Week Range
$211.54
$317.63
Assets Under Management
$102.23 billion

For those who want exposure to gold without dealing with the hassle of physical storage, a spot gold ETF like the SPDR Gold Shares ETF NYSEARCA: GLD is a top option. The fund aims to track the performance of gold bullion, minus expenses, and offers direct correlation to gold prices.

With nearly $100 billion in assets under management, a 0.4% expense ratio, and average daily volume around 8 million shares, GLD is both cost-efficient and highly liquid. The ETF has soared nearly 30% year-to-date, just 0.6% below its all-time high. Over the past 12 months, it’s gained almost 50%, outpacing even the red-hot tech sector.

Gold Miners ETF: For Mining Exposure with Added Volatility

VanEck Gold Miners ETF Today

VanEck Gold Miners ETF stock logo
GDXGDX 90-day performance
VanEck Gold Miners ETF
$49.82 -0.97 (-1.91%)
As of 05/7/2025 04:10 PM Eastern
52-Week Range
$32.84
$53.25
Dividend Yield
0.80%
Assets Under Management
$15.39 billion

Investors seeking exposure to the companies extracting gold rather than the metal itself may prefer the VanEck Gold Miners ETF NYSEARCA: GDX, which tracks the NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index. Unlike GLD, GDX offers indirect exposure through holdings in gold mining firms, which can amplify gains in rising gold markets, but also come with more volatility due to operational risks.

GDX has surged 50% year-to-date and trades just 5% below its 52-week high. The ETF also pays a 0.79% dividend yield and boasts high liquidity with average daily volume exceeding 20 million shares. It holds a Moderate Buy rating among analysts, signaling continued confidence in upside for gold miners.

Newmont Corporation: Leading Gold Producer With Strong Fundamentals

Newmont Today

Newmont Co. stock logo
NEMNEM 90-day performance
Newmont
$54.04 -0.57 (-1.05%)
As of 05/7/2025 03:59 PM Eastern
This is a fair market value price provided by Polygon.io. Learn more.
52-Week Range
$36.86
$58.72
Dividend Yield
1.85%
P/E Ratio
18.44
Price Target
$55.63

Newmont Corporation NYSE: NEM offers a compelling opportunity for investors willing to take on single-stock risk in exchange for more potential upside. One of the world’s largest gold miners and a top holding in GDX (at 11.5% weighting), Newmont has a market cap of $60 billion, a 1.83% dividend yield, and a P/E ratio of 18.

NEM has performed exceptionally well in 2025, climbing 47% year-to-date. The company posted stellar Q1 results in April, reporting EPS of $1.25, a whopping $0.54 above analyst expectations, and $5.01 billion in revenue, also beating forecasts. The stock is in a strong uptrend, trading above all major moving averages, and holds a Moderate Buy consensus from 20 analysts.

Should You Invest $1,000 in SPDR Gold Shares Right Now?

Before you consider SPDR Gold Shares, you'll want to hear this.

MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and SPDR Gold Shares wasn't on the list.

While SPDR Gold Shares currently has a Hold rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.

View The Five Stocks Here

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Ryan Hasson
About The Author

Ryan Hasson

Contributing Author

Technical Analysis, Momentum Trading, Risk Management

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Companies Mentioned in This Article

CompanyMarketRank™Current PricePrice ChangeDividend YieldP/E RatioConsensus RatingConsensus Price Target
VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX)N/A$49.82-1.9%0.80%20.72Moderate Buy$49.82
Newmont (NEM)
4.5254 of 5 stars
$54.04-1.0%1.85%18.44Moderate Buy$55.63
SPDR Gold Shares (GLD)N/A$310.75-1.5%N/A-32.58N/AN/A
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