You can invest in gold through Schwab in a few ways, without buying physical bullion directly from them:
- Gold ETFs: Buy funds like SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) or iShares Gold Trust (IAU), which track gold prices and trade like stocks.
- Gold mining stocks: Invest in companies like Newmont or Barrick Gold, or diversified funds such as VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX).
- Mutual funds: Schwab offers precious metals or commodity focused mutual funds.
- Futures and options: Through Schwab’s thinkorswim platform, active traders can access gold futures contracts.
Schwab doesn’t sell physical gold coins or bars directly, so for tangible gold you’d need a specialized dealer. For most investors, gold ETFs offer the simplest, most liquid way to gain exposure through a Schwab account.