Jasmine Birtles
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How to Buy Gold Stocks in the UK
Ruby Layram
5th Mar 2025
Gold has been a symbol of wealth for centuries and is a pretty smart way to protect the value of your wealth in 2025. But here’s the thing: you don’t need to stash away gold bars in a secret vault to benefit from its value. Investing in gold stocks is a smarter, easier, and far less back-breaking way to tap into the power of gold.
If you’re wondering how to buy gold stocks in the UK, you’re in the right place. I’ll walk you through the process, share the best platforms to use, and even throw in my top gold stock picks for 2025.
Exclusive offer: You can receive 100 FREE Tally (spendable gold) if you sign up to Tally Money with the code MM100
What Are Gold Stocks?
Gold stocks are shares of companies involved in the gold industry. Unlike physical gold, which you can hold in your hand (or bury in the garden if you fancy going full pirate mode), gold stocks represent ownership in businesses that mine, refine, or sell gold.
Gold stocks don’t always move in the same direction as gold prices. While the price of gold can influence a Gold company’s revenue, factors like mining costs, management decisions, and global economic conditions also play a huge role. This means gold stocks can sometimes outperform gold itself, offering investors more than just exposure to the metal’s price movements.
- There are two main types of gold stocks:
Gold mining stocks: These are companies that dig up the gold and sell it. Think of big names like Barrick Gold and Newmont. - Gold Royalty & Streaming Companies: These companies don’t mine gold themselves but finance miners in exchange for a cut of the profits. They can be less risky because they aren’t tied to the operational headaches of mining.
Gold stocks can be a great way to invest in the precious metal without the hassle of physical storage, and they often come with the added bonus of dividends.
How to Invest in Gold Stocks Step by Step
If you want to protect your wealth with an inflation hedge, without having to buy physical gold bars, investing in Gold stocks is an excellent option to consider. The process is pretty straightforward. Here are the steps to follow:
1. Pick the right platform
You’ll need a brokerage account to buy gold stocks. Some platforms are beginner-friendly, while others cater to more advanced investors. We’ll cover the best ones in the next section.
For now, take a look at our list of the best UK investment platforms for an idea of the best places to start.
2. Research gold stocks
Not all gold companies are created equal. Some are stable giants, while others are newcomers that come with more growth potential but also more risk!
When researching the best Gold stocks to buy, look at:
- Company financials
- Gold production levels
- Cost of mining and profitability
- Political and economic risks in the regions they operate in
3. Sign up to a brokerage
If you haven’t already, you will need to create an account with the brokerage that you found in step 1. This will involve providing personal details such as your name, date of birth and address. You will also be required to provide two forms of ID.
The process can take a few minutes and it may take up to 48 hours for your account to be verified.
4. Place an order
Once you are able to sign into your brokerage account, use the explore feature to search for the Gold stocks that you would like to buy. Then, fill out the order form.
Depending on the platform that you use, you will either need to connect a payment method to your account to buy stocks or deposit funds into your account before you can place an order.
I recommend starting with the minimum deposit/purchase amount before gradually increasing your investment over time through dollar-cost-averaging.
5. Monitor and adjust
Gold prices can be volatile, so keep an eye on the market and rebalance your portfolio if needed. Remember, investing is a marathon, not a sprint.
If your goal is to build wealth, invest with a long-term mindset and avoid panicking over temporary market dips. The idea is to gradually build wealth over time rather than trying to time the market or make money quickly.
We recently wrote a great guide on how to invest like a wealthy person that you can check out for more tips!
Where to Buy Gold Stocks in the UK
Most reputable UK investing platforms offer access to individual gold stocks or Gold ETFs. It’s important to research and compare several different options before deciding where to put your money.
Here are some top platforms to consider.
eToro
eToro is a reputable UK brokerage that is great for beginner investors who want a user-friendly experience. The main appeal of this brokerage is the copy trading feature which allows you to copy the trading strategies of vetted experts.
eToro offers both Gold stocks and Gold ETFs, making it possible for you to build a diverse gold portfolio. You can also pick from a selection of ready-made Smart portfolios which take the pressure away from picking individual investments yourself.
One thing to bear in mind is that the fees charged by eToro may be higher than other platforms. However, this shouldn’t be a problem for long-term investors who are planning on holding their investments for the foreseeable.
InvestEngine
InvestEngine is known for being one of the best ETF investment platforms in the UK. It offers over 780 ETFs (including gold ETFs), auto investing features and zero commissions on trades.
The platform is particualrly appealing for tax-efficient investing. You can invest through an ISA or SIPP and protect your returns from capital gains tax.
IG
If you’re a seasoned investor who is a looking for a platform with cutting-edge research and analysis tools, IG might be a good option for you. As well as Gold stocks and ETFs, IG offers CFD instruments which are ideal for short-term trading strategies.
Similar to InvestEngine, IG doesn’t charge commissions for stock trading. It’s also worth noting that the platform supports advanced strategies such as spread betting.
Investing in Gold ETFs: The Smarter Way to Buy Gold
If picking individual gold stocks feels like too much effort, gold ETFs (or exchange traded funds) might be the way to go. They offer instant diversification and lower risk compared to individual stocks.
Top Gold ETFs to Consider:
- SPDR Gold Shares (GLD)
- iShares Physical Gold ETF (SGLN)
- VanEck Vectors Gold Miners ETF (GDX)
Gold ETFs are great because they save you the hassle of picking individual stocks while still giving you exposure to gold’s price movements.
Should I Buy Gold Stocks?
Gold stocks can be a great addition to your portfolio, but they’re not for everyone. Here’s a quick rundown of the pros and cons:
Pros:
- Potential for high returns when gold prices rise
- Dividends from some gold companies
- Easier to buy and sell compared to physical gold
Cons:
- Gold stocks can be volatile than physical gold bars or coins
- Mining companies have operational risks (such as political instability, labour strikes)
- Not all gold stocks follow gold prices exactly
If you’re looking for a hedge against inflation and market uncertainty, gold stocks or gold ETFs can be a smart play. However, buying physical gold could be more stable over time.
Investing in gold stocks is a fantastic way to get exposure to the precious metal without dealing with physical storage. Whether you go for individual stocks or take the simpler ETF route, the key is doing your research and staying patient.
Remember, the wealthy don’t chase hype. They invest wisely, diversify their portfolios, and play the long game. And now, so can you.
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Disclaimer: MoneyMagpie is not a licensed financial advisor and therefore information found here including opinions, commentary, suggestions or strategies are for informational, entertainment or educational purposes only. This should not be considered as financial advice. Anyone thinking of investing should conduct their own due diligence. When investing your capital is at risk.
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