Is Now a Good Time to Buy Gold? What We Know in September 2025

Gold prices have hit an all-time high as of September 4, 2025, raising a key question for investors: Is now a good time to buy?

We’ll break down what’s driving the recent dip, what experts are watching, and whether this pullback could be a smart entry point for those looking to add gold to their portfolios.

Table of Contents

1. What is gold doing now?
   1. Reasons behind recent price movement
2. Should I buy gold when prices are rising?
3. Are dips good buying opportunities?
4. Risks of buying gold
5. How to invest in gold

What is gold doing now?

As of early September 2025, gold prices have risen in recent weeks, settling at $2,320 at last glance. This follows a dip in early August that occurred due to easing inflation indicators and growing investor optimism about a possible soft landing for the U.S. economy.

However, recent less-than-promising news about the U.S. economy has heightened the expectation that Federal Reserve interest rate hikes are coming, causing the price of gold to rise again.

Reasons behind September rising prices

• Renewed inflation concerns: After months of easing, the latest CPI report showed a slight uptick in core inflation, reigniting demand for inflation hedges like gold.
• Geopolitical tensions: Escalating conflict in the South China Sea and instability in oil-producing regions have driven safe-haven buying.
• Central bank buying: Emerging market central banks have continued to add to gold reserves, reinforcing long-term demand.
• Market volatility: A recent pullback in tech stocks and rising bond yields have made investors nervous, increasing interest in defensive assets like gold.
• Weaker dollar: The U.S. dollar has softened slightly on lower economic growth projections, boosting dollar-denominated commodities like gold.

Is it smart to buy gold when prices are rising?

Rising prices don’t necessarily mean it’s too late to get in. Many investors view strong upward momentum as a sign of confidence in gold’s long-term outlook.

Several reasons buying during a rally can still make sense:

• Bullish momentum can build: Once gold breaks key resistance levels, technical traders may continue buying, pushing prices even higher.
• Long-term drivers are still in play: Fiscal concerns, geopolitical risk, and central bank gold buying haven’t disappeared. Rising prices may reflect those ongoing forces.
• Time in the market beats timing the market: For long-term investors, catching the absolute bottom isn’t the goal; building a diversified position over time is.
• Breakouts may signal a trend shift: Technical analysts often view strong rallies as confirmation that a new uptrend has begun, rather than a short-term spike.

If you’re worried about buying at a peak, you could consider dollar-cost averaging, gradually entering the market to reduce the risk of short-term volatility.

Are dips good buying opportunities?

While a dip might make it seem like gold is less desirable, and maybe like a reason to wait, some investors and analysts see declines as a potential entry point—especially for those who believe gold’s long-term drivers remain strong.

Several factors support that view:

• Fiscal concerns persist: David Einhorn, founder of Greenlight Capital, recently emphasized that gold’s value isn’t just tied to inflation; it reflects investor confidence in fiscal and monetary policy. With rising U.S. deficits and growing skepticism over long-term fiscal discipline, gold remains attractive as a hedge.
• Technical signals look favorable: According to analyst Dean Rogers of Kase & Company, the gold market remains in a technically healthy uptrend as long as prices stay above $3,222.
• Safe haven demand continues: Ongoing global uncertainty, from elections to shifting monetary policy, keeps demand strong for assets like gold.

If you decide to wait for a pullback to enter the market, a dip could offer a window. But as always, the right time to buy depends on your goals, risk tolerance, and portfolio strategy. Long-term investors may benefit from viewing gold as a multi-year hedge, not a short-term trade.

If you’d like to browse inventories or speak to a metals specialist, our team determined these are the best gold dealers and gold IRA companies:

Resources for gold price research

During market dips like this one, using these tools can help you evaluate whether prices are likely to stabilize or rebound

• World Gold Council: Dubbed the “global experts on gold,” the World Gold Council researches the international gold market and offers information to professional and individual investors.
• S&P Global Market Intelligence: The analysts at S&P Global Market Intelligence have put together a commodity briefing report for gold. It’s available for download to anyone with a business or institutional email address.
• J.P. Morgan Global Research: Financial firm J.P. Morgan conducts analysis on various markets and investments, including gold, and many of its findings are available to the public.

Risks of buying gold

Even when prices drop, gold comes with risk. Before you buy on the dip, consider the following.

• Volatility: The price of gold can be volatile, with significant upward and downward swings influenced by various factors. While its value generally recovers after a drop, these fluctuations can be challenging for some investors..
• Lack of yield: Physical gold investments do not generate dividends or interest.
• Storage costs and risk: Physical gold comes with additional costs not associated with paper investments. If held in an IRA, you must pay for storage in an IRS-approved depository. If stored at home, you’ll need to invest in a safe and ensure adequate insurance coverage. You also risk theft if you keep gold in your house.

Many investors choose gold because it is a tangible asset expected to hold its value regardless of inflation or currency fluctuations. However, it typically doesn’t appreciate in the same way as stocks. Gold can be a valuable part of a diversified portfolio, but it should complement other investments rather than replace them.

How to invest in gold

There’s more than one way to invest in gold, especially during a price dip. Here’s how to decide which option is right for you.

1. Physical gold

Best for: Long-term holders who want direct ownership

Physical gold includes bars, coins, and rounds—typically 99.5% pure. It’s a tangible, inflation-resistant asset, but it comes with storage costs and potential security risks.

Pros

• No counterparty risk

• Tangible store of value

Cons

• Requires secure storage

• No yields or dividends

If you go this route, consider using a safe-deposit box or a fully insured depository.

2. Gold IRAs

Best for: Retirement-focused investors

A precious metals IRA allows you to hold physical gold in a tax-advantaged retirement account.

Pros

• Tax-deferred or tax-free growth

• Portfolio diversification for retirement

Cons

• Setup and annual fees

• Storage must meet IRS requirements

This option is great for those with a long investment horizon looking to hedge future volatility. See our choices for the best gold IRA companies.

3. Gold ETFs and mutual funds

Best for: Investors who want liquidity and low hassle

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) track the price of gold without requiring physical storage. They’re ideal if you want to take advantage of short-term dips or prefer a hands-off approach.

Pros

• Easy to trade

• No physical storage required

Cons

• Management fees

• No direct ownership of gold

See the best gold ETFs of 2025.

4. Gold mining stocks and funds

Best for: Risk-tolerant investors seeking leveraged returns

These stocks don’t track gold prices directly but tend to rise (or fall) faster than gold itself. They can offer outsized gains during bull runs but also come with business risk.

Pros

• High upside potential

• No storage or delivery fees

Cons

• Company-specific risks

• May underperform if operations falter

If you choose this option, diversify across multiple mining companies or use a mining ETF.

5. Gold futures and options

Best for: Experienced traders

These allow you to speculate on gold price movements using leverage. They offer big potential rewards but are extremely volatile and complex.

Pros

• High leverage potential

• Useful for short-term trades

Cons

• High risk

• Requires deep market knowledge

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Choosing the right gold investment depends on your goals. If you’re buying the dip as a long-term hedge, physical gold or a gold IRA might make sense. If you’re looking for short-term upside, ETFs or mining stocks could be more appropriate. And if you’re an advanced trader, futures could be worth exploring, with caution.