What precious metal is best to invest in? (2024)

Determining which investments to make can be difficult in any economic climate. That's because investors have a wide range of choices to narrow down between stocks, bonds, ETFs, mutual funds and other traditional investment assets. And, those aren't the only investment options available, either.

In addition to more traditional assets, investors can also add less common options to their portfolios. That includes precious metals, like gold, which is in high demand right now. Many investors opt to add gold to their portfolios due to the unique benefits it can offer — especially during economic downturns or periods of high inflation.

But while gold is among the most popular options for investors looking to diversify their portfolios and hedge against economic uncertainties, there are actually a few more precious metals that you may want to consider adding to your portfolio — and each one has its unique characteristics, advantages and drawbacks.

Find out how gold investing could benefit you with a free information kit.

What precious metal is best to invest in?

While gold is perhaps the most well-known precious metal investment, silver, platinum and palladium are other options investors should know. Here are the potential pros and cons of each to help you make an informed decision on which is best for your portfolio.

Gold

Pros of investing in gold

• Historical store of value: For centuries, gold has been a reliable store of value. It has maintained its purchasing power through various economic crises and currency fluctuations, making it a smart bet in uncertain economies.
• Liquidity: Gold is highly liquid, meaning you can easily buy or sell it in various forms (coins, bars, jewelry, etc.) in almost any country in the world. It can also be easily sold during economic downturns or in nearly any type of economy.
• Portfolio diversification: Gold tends to have a negative correlation with other assets like stocks and bonds, making it an excellent diversification tool.
• Inflation hedge: Gold often performs well during times of inflation, as it retains its value when paper currencies lose purchasing power.
• Industrial uses: Gold has any number of industrial uses. It has properties that make it useful in the medical, automotive, electronics, defense and other industries, which translates to consistent demand.

Cons of investing in gold

• Lack of yield: Gold does not generate income like stocks or bonds. You may miss out on potential dividend payments or interest income by solely investing in this precious metal.
• Storage costs: Safely storing physical gold can incur additional costs, such as fees for a safe deposit box or secure vault.
• Price volatility: While gold is generally considered a stable investment, its price can still experience significant fluctuations in the short term.

Explore how gold investing could benefit your portfolio here.

Silver

Pros of investing in silver

• Affordability: The price of silver tends to make it more affordable than gold. In turn, this precious metal is more broadly accessible to a range of investors.
• Industrial demand: Silver has various industrial applications, which can create additional demand and potentially drive up its price.
• Inflation hedge: Like gold, silver can serve as a hedge against inflation — which can be especially useful in this economy, in which we're facing persistent inflation.
• Historical value: Silver has a long history as a form of currency and wealth preservation.

Cons of investing in silver

• Greater volatility: Silver prices tend to be more volatile than gold, which can lead to larger price swings.
• Industrial dependency: The industrial demand for silver can also be a drawback, as economic downturns may affect its price negatively.

Platinum

Pros of investing in platinum

• Industrial use: Platinum has extensive industrial applications, particularly in the automotive and jewelry industries, which can drive demand.
• Rarity: Platinum is rarer than both gold and silver, which may provide it with higher long-term value potential.
• Diversification: Platinum can diversify your precious metals portfolio beyond the more commonly held gold and silver.

Cons of investing in platinum

• Price volatility: Platinum prices can be highly volatile, making it a riskier investment.
• Limited investment options: Compared to gold and silver, platinum has limited investment options, primarily through coins and bars.

Palladium

Pros of investing in palladium

• Automotive demand: Palladium is a crucial component in catalytic converters, making it a vital metal for the automotive industry.
• Supply constraints: Limited mining production and geopolitical factors can lead to supply constraints, potentially driving up prices.
• Recent strong performance: Palladium has shown impressive price gains in recent years.

Cons of investing in palladium

• Lack of historical data: Palladium lacks the long-term historical data that gold and silver have, making it harder to predict its performance.
• Industrial dependency: Like silver, palladium is heavily reliant on industrial demand, which can be affected by economic fluctuations.

The bottom line

Deciding which precious metal to invest in depends on your financial goals, risk tolerance and the overall market outlook. Gold remains a reliable choice for wealth preservation, while silver offers affordability and industrial uses. Platinum and palladium can provide diversification and potentially higher returns but come with increased volatility and limited investment options.

Ultimately, a well-balanced investment portfolio may include a combination of these precious metals to maximize benefits and mitigate risks. That said, it's essential to conduct thorough research before making any investment decisions in the precious metals market to ensure you're making the best decision for your finances.