Is buying gold (still) a wise idea in 2026?

The gold price has once again reached historically high levels in 2026. After years of monetary easing, high inflation, and geopolitical tensions, gold has become one of the most talked-about investments of the moment. That raises a logical question: is buying gold still a wise move, or are you actually already too late?

Reasons not to buy gold in 2026

Investing in gold can be attractive at virtually any time, precisely because of its long-term character, its role in protecting purchasing power, and its function as diversification within an investment portfolio. Even so, there are reasons in 2026 why some investors might choose not to invest in gold (yet):

1. The gold price is historically high

Now that the gold price is at a historically high level, entering the market can feel psychologically and rationally difficult for some investors. They'd rather wait for a moment when the gold price falls again, making it cheaper to make a first investment.

2. Interest rates are relatively high

Compared with a few years ago, savings accounts and bonds have offered a visible return again over the past two to three years. Because gold pays no interest or dividend, gold's relative advantage can be temporarily smaller. Even so, current interest rates on savings accounts aren't much higher than 1% to 1.5%, while inflation is still around 3%, meaning savers are losing purchasing power.

3. Financial markets remain optimistic

As long as stock markets perform strongly and confidence remains high, investors feel less need for protection or risk reduction, which can dampen demand for gold.

4. Investors have a short investment horizon

For investors who mainly invest with a short investment horizon, gold may not be the best investment choice. Gold really comes into its own with patience, not with expectations of quick profit.

5. Gold doesn't generate direct income

Some listed companies pay dividends. Investors then periodically receive a share of the profits. Savings also generate a direct return in the form of savings interest. With gold, there's no direct income stream in the form of dividends or interest. This can be a reason for investors to (temporarily) pass on gold.

Reasons to buy gold in a bull market

Even so, there are plenty of reasons to buy gold, even in a bull market — one we've now been in for quite some time and are expected to remain in for a while yet.

A bull market is a period in which the price of many investment products rises for a sustained period and investors are predominantly optimistic. In such a phase, gold may at first glance seem less attractive to buy; after all, the price is fairly high and entering the market is 'expensive'. Even so, there are good reasons to buy gold precisely during a bull market.

1. Gold protects your wealth against inflation

A bull market goes hand in hand with strong economic growth and, regularly, also with rising inflation. Historically, gold has retained its purchasing power better than currencies and many other financial products. In a bull market, gold can therefore serve as an inflation hedge within your wealth.

2. By buying gold now, you're prepared for a market turn

A bull market always ends. Only nobody knows exactly when. By buying gold in time, you build up protection before panic sets in. By buying gold while everything is still going well, you can make a rational decision and take emotion out of the equation.

3. Gold helps you diversify your wealth

Gold behaves differently from stocks, bonds, or real estate. Precisely for that reason, it can play a stabilising role within a broader portfolio, even in a bull market.

For many investors, the question isn't whether they should own gold, but how much. In a balanced investment portfolio, gold can lower overall risk, even if it doesn't deliver maximum returns.

The importance of your time horizon

The question "is investing in gold a wise idea?" can't be considered separately from your time horizon.

• Do you have a short investment horizon (0-3 years)? Then gold is less suited to tactical timing.
• Do you have a medium-term investment horizon (3-7 years)? Then gold can offer interesting protection against unexpected market shocks.
• Are you investing for the long term (7+ years)? Then gold may well be an interesting investment product for you, since gold is known for its long-term character.

Generally speaking, the longer your horizon, the smaller the chance that you'll enter 'at the wrong moment'.

Gold in a balanced portfolio

For many wealthy investors, gold isn't an all-or-nothing choice. It's about allocation. Think of 5%, 10%, or 15% of total wealth, depending on your risk profile.

GoldRepublic often sees gold as part of a diversified wealth strategy, alongside real estate, stocks, and cash. Not to achieve maximum returns, but to bring calm and stability.

Saving in gold as rational wealth protection

An important reason investors move into gold isn't chasing quick price gains, but seeking calm, stability, and wealth preservation. In times of rising prices, geopolitical uncertainty, and mounting debt, awareness grows that delaying can also be a risk — not because people want to avoid being "too late", but because purchasing power is under structural pressure.

That's precisely why saving in gold can be interesting. By periodically buying gold (once a week, every two weeks, or once a month), you spread your entry points over time. This reduces the risk of a single unfortunate buying moment and lets you build up a physical reserve step by step.

Through us, you can already save in gold from as little as one gram or a £50 contribution at a time.