Commodities & Gold questions, answered
Gold, silver and oil: what drives prices and the different ways people get exposure.
Gold vs Bitcoin: Which Is the Better Store of Value?
They behave very differently. Gold rose about 131% in five years to October 2026 (World Bank monthly averages) with smaller drops. Bitcoin rose about 12% in five years to November 2026 but fell about 40% from its October 2025 record. Gold is the steadier diversifier; bitcoin is far more volatile.
Gold ETF vs Physical Gold: Which Should You Buy?
A gold ETF is cheaper and easier to trade, with a small yearly fee and no storage hassle. Physical coins and bars give you direct ownership with no fund or broker in between, but cost more to buy, store and sell. In the US, long-term gains on physical gold are taxed as collectibles at up to 28%, and many physically backed gold ETFs are treated the same way.
Why Has the Gold Price Gone Up So Much?
Gold more than doubled in three years, from a $1,916 monthly average in October 2023 to $4,105 in October 2026 (World Bank). Heavy central-bank buying, safe-haven demand and expectations for interest rates and the dollar drove it. It is not a one-way trade: gold fell about 18% from its February 2026 record average of $5,020.
What Moves Oil Prices? WTI and Brent Explained
Oil prices move on supply and demand: OPEC+ production decisions, US output, global economic growth, weekly inventory data, geopolitical disruptions and the US dollar. On November 3, 2026, WTI was $99.64 and Brent $107.03 a barrel, both more than 60% higher than a year earlier (EIA via FRED).
What Is the Gold/Silver Ratio and How Do Traders Use It?
The gold/silver ratio is the gold price divided by the silver price: how many ounces of silver buy one ounce of gold. In October 2026 it was about 72 (World Bank monthly averages: gold $4,105, silver $57). Over the last 20 years it ranged from about 35 to about 111. Traders use extremes to compare the metals, but it is not a reliable timing tool.