Scott R. Hillford
Author & Founder Gold Is Money 2
Disclaimer: Some or all of the companies reported here may provide compensation to us, at no cost to our readers. This is how we keep our reporting free for readers. Compensation and detailed analysis are what determines how companies appear on this website.
Diversifying your investment portfolio is a fundamental strategy for minimizing risk and optimizing returns.
When one sector of the market experiences downturns, another may offer substantial gains to balance out those losses.
Gold investment can be an excellent approach to achieving the necessary level of diversity.
By using ETrade as your broker, you gain access to numerous tools and resources essential for building your ideal portfolio.
Prior reading further, it is important to acknowledge that investing your savings is a not easy. When it comes to incorporating precious metals into your investment portfolio, how can you tell which companies are reliable?
After devoting extensive time and effort, we have conducted thorough research within the precious metals industry and compiled a selection of the most trustworthy companies.
Take a moment to read our list and determine if Etrade has what it takes to make the list this year!
This lets you to quickly compare the leading companies in this field and select the one that aligns with your specific requirements and investment objectives.
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What Services Does ETrade Offer?
ETrade offers several accounts such as individual brokerage and retirement accounts. Brokerage accounts allow you to invest in stocks, bonds, and other securities on a taxable basis while retirement accounts allow you to do so on a tax-deferred basis.
A traditional retirement account uses pre-tax dollars to invest, which means that you'll pay taxes on money withdrawn in retirement. A Roth account allows you to use after-tax dollars to invest, which means that you won't pay taxes on withdrawals in retirement.
You will also have access to the Power ETrade charting platform, access to real-time research, and other educational tools to help you become a better investor. You can also get access to premade portfolios that are designed to meet your needs now and in the future.
Managed portfolios are also available to make investing even easier. Instead of having to watch charts and pick stocks on your own, a dedicated account manager will do so for you. Although you will be charged a fee for the service, it may be an ideal option if you struggle to manage your time or emotions.
How to Invest in Gold Using E-Trade
It's important to note that ETrade does not offer gold IRAs. However, the company does offer many ways to gain exposure to this asset class without the need for one. For example, you can buy shares in companies that mine or sell gold or other precious metals.
You can also choose from several exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that combine some companies within the precious metals industry into one security. An ETF can be bought or sold like a stock, which may make it preferable to a mutual fund.
Advantages of Using E-Trade
One of the key advantages of using ETrade is that they offer affordable and upfront pricing. Generally speaking, you won't pay a commission when you buy or sell shares of American companies in a self-directed brokerage account.
Furthermore, you can also buy and sell bonds, mutual funds, and ETFs without paying a commission. However, fees apply for transactions made by a broker or when buying or selling options contracts. Fees may also apply when buying or selling bonds through the broker's online secondary market.
You will also notice that it is very easy to get in touch with a customer service representative. The company's customer service number is widely displayed on its website and there are also links to numerous social media pages where clients can interact with the business.
There is also a frequently asked questions (FAQs) page where you may be able to find the information that you need before making a phone call.
Other Gold Companies to Consider
#1: Goldco
Goldco is a strong contender to earn your business because it makes the process of starting a gold IRA an easy and convenient one.
The company will walk you through the process of selecting a custodian, filling out paperwork, and taking steps to fund your account.
After your account is created, you will have access to a customer helpline that is available at any time that you might need assistance with your account or with a particular trade.
You can also learn more about account fees and other costs associated with a gold IRA by talking to a precious metals specialist at Goldco.
The company boasts more than 4,500 positive reviews across a variety of sites such as Trustpilot. You can read as many of those reviews as you want by hitting the reviews tab on the company's website.
Gold or silver IRA accounts can be funded by rolling over an existing retirement account or by transferring funds from your savings or checking account.
In addition to precious metals IRAs, you can buy and sell gold, silver, and other precious metals through a personal account. This allows you to build or preserve wealth whether you're looking to do inside or outside of a retirement account.
#2: Augusta Precious Metals
Money ranked Augusta Precious Metals as the best gold company in the United States in 2023. This is partially because Augusta will do most of the work when it comes to creating and funding your account.
Furthermore, you'll have access to a personal agent who will be there to help you whenever you have questions about your account.
Of course, the company is not able to provide you with tax or any other type of personalized investment advice. Instead, you will need to rely on your own financial or tax adviser.
It's also important to note that your custodian is unable to provide you with anything other than account statements or other generalized information about your holdings.
One of the ways that Augusta separates itself from the competition is through its commitment to educating its clients. You will have access to some articles, videos, and other resources aimed at helping you learn more about gold, IRAs, and anything else that you'll need to learn about to be a successful investor.
The company will also talk more about the various marketing tricks that other companies might use to convince you to create a gold or silver IRA.
Understanding the difference between what you need and what is profitable for a broker can help you save money on fees and administrative costs and put more of your money to work for you.
#3: American Hartford Gold
American Hartford Gold is another company that offers a quality and accessible product for anyone who is looking to invest in gold.
They offer a variety of customizable gold and silver IRA packages that are designed to meet your needs today. You can also choose where your precious metals are held and can even opt for physical delivery of your holdings.
However, it is important to note that you cannot keep gold intended for use inside of an IRA at home. At a minimum, it must be held in a safe deposit box inside of a local bank.
It's also in your best interest to have the gold titled in the name of your retirement account. This will make it easier to prove that it was purchased for retirement purposes and should receive tax-advantaged status.
American Hartford Gold believes in transparency and in educating its clients as much as possible. This is why the company's About section has a full list of the company's executives and their backgrounds so that you can make an educated decision about who manages your holdings.
What is a Gold IRA?
A Gold IRA, short for Individual Retirement Account, is a specialized investment vehicle that allows individuals to include physical gold and other precious metals within their retirement portfolio.
Unlike traditional IRAs that primarily consist of stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, a Gold IRA provides a means to diversify one's retirement holdings by including tangible assets like gold coins, bars, and other precious metals.
The primary motivation behind creating a Gold IRA is to hedge against economic uncertainties and market volatility.
Gold has historically been viewed as a safe-haven asset, retaining its value during times of economic downturns and currency fluctuations.
This quality makes it an attractive option for those seeking to safeguard their retirement savings from potential market crashes or inflation.
Benefits of a Gold IRA
The benefits of a Gold IRA are multifaceted. Firstly, it offers portfolio diversification, reducing overall risk by not relying solely on traditional financial assets. This diversification can potentially enhance the overall stability of the retirement portfolio.
Secondly, gold's historical track record as a store of value and hedge against inflation provides a sense of security in the face of economic turbulence. Unlike paper currency, which can lose value due to inflation, gold tends to maintain its purchasing power over time.
Gold IRA offers tax advantages
Thirdly, a Gold IRA offers tax advantages similar to those of traditional IRAs. Contributions to a Gold IRA can be tax-deductible, allowing individuals to enjoy potential tax savings while building a more resilient retirement fund.
Additionally, if structured as a Roth IRA, the potential gains from the appreciation of gold within the account can be withdrawn tax-free during retirement, offering tax-efficient wealth accumulation.
It's important to note that while a Gold IRA can be a valuable addition to a retirement strategy, it's not without its considerations. The value of gold can be volatile in the short term, and it might not generate income like traditional investments such as stocks or bonds.
Moreover, there are storage and custodial fees associated with holding physical gold within an IRA. As with any investment decision, individuals considering a Gold IRA should carefully assess their financial goals, risk tolerance, and consult with financial advisors to determine if this type of IRA aligns with their long-term retirement objectives.
Why Should You Include Gold in Your IRA?
There are some reasons why you should consider including gold in your investment portfolio. First, gold can act as a hedge against inflation because it is a limited resource. This means that you can't simply print more gold or otherwise create more of it out of thin air.
Ultimately, its scarcity means that its value either remains steady or increases during times of economic or political uncertainty. In addition, adding gold to your portfolio can be a good idea because it is only loosely correlated with stocks and bonds.
Therefore, you can see a significant increase in the value of gold whether the stock market is going up or down. Often, investors will take money out of the stock market during periods of economic weakness and put it into gold as it is typically seen as a safe haven investment.
The fact that there are so many ways to invest in gold itself can offer another layer of diversification within your portfolio. For example, you could choose to buy gold bullion as well as gold coins. Bullion is scrap metal or other pieces of gold that are valued by weight as opposed to any intrinsic qualities.
However, gold coins are often seen as collectible items, which means that they can be worth more than their weight in gold. Typically, coins minted in the United States and other developed countries meet IRS requirements for inclusion into an IRA.
Verdict
Conclusion
If you are looking to diversify your portfolio or preserve your capital, you're strongly encouraged to invest in gold today. Companies such as ETrade offer several tools and resources designed to make the process of creating a brokerage or retirement account an easy one.
Furthermore, the number of educational resources that brokers make available to clients means that you can become an educated and empowered client even if you have no previous experience as an investor.
Let our expertise and analysis help you before you invest your savings by reading our list of the best companies!
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