While not a typical outlet for the sale of precious metals, the members-only warehouse chain has seen its 1-ounce gold bars sell out faster than discounted 170-ounce jugs of laundry detergent.
In a company earnings call last week, CFO
Unlike some other discount finds at the retail giant, gold bars come with hefty price tag. No prices were listed Wednesday because of the bars' unavailability, but multiple media outlets reported last week that the 1-ounce gold pieces — offered in two designs — were selling for just below
That's slightly higher than the current market price of gold, which stood at about
Chances are, interest around
Still, it's important to pause and evaluate investment prospects. Here's what some experts say.
What's behind the demand for gold?
Interest in buying gold often stems from feelings of uncertainty, experts say.
“If someone’s going out to buy gold, that means they think that there’s some type of instability at the structural level of the market and/or the government itself,” added David Wagner III, head of markets and equities at
Is gold worth the investment?
Rose and others say gold can diversify and balance your investment portfolio, as well as mitigate potential risks down the road.
“People are looking for a safe haven ... to protect their wealth. And gold kind of ticks all those boxes," Rose said. He added that people may see value in having something tangible — and put precious metals "in a safety deposit box or into a retirement plan, even like an IRA or 401k ... to safeguard what they have whilst they see what’s happening in the market.”
But not everyone agrees. Wagner says gold is “one of the worst things that you can ever own." Among the downsides, he argues, is that gold isn't the inflationary hedge many say it is, with inflation at times outpacing gold in recent decades, and that “there are more efficient ways to protect against the loss of capital," such as through derivative-based investments.
If you do choose to invest in gold, the commission and others add, it's important to educate yourself on safe trading practices and be cautious of potential scams and counterfeits on the market.
Gold for December delivery fell
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