Overview
- Spot gold hit a record near $5,600 per ounce earlier this year before sliding below $4,800.
- SPDR Gold Shares (GLD), which tracks bullion, has returned about 39% over 12 months and more than 160% over five years.
- Short-term volatility measured over 30 days jumped early in the year and remains above its average over the past decade.
- The article links the bigger price swings to heavier trading by retail investors who are using gold more for speculation.
- It concludes that dividend stocks or low-volatility funds may offer steadier risk reduction than gold right now.