The uncertainty surrounding Trump’s “Liberation Day” has been weighing on markets for weeks.

But there’s one sector that continues to rise – gold.

Gold climbed $3,110 per ounce this week, shattering its previous record of $3,000 last month. Its currently sitting around $3,124 per ounce at the time of this writing.

To put that in perspective…

During the Housing Crisis in 2008, gold initially breached $1,000 per ounce. Yet its current levels eclipses that mark, even when adjusted for inflation.

People invest in gold (and silver) for several reasons.

1. Store of Value: Gold has been seen as a reliable store of value for centuries. It tends to hold its worth over time, making it a hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty.
2. Safe Haven: During times of economic instability or geopolitical tension, investors often flock to gold as a safe haven asset, as it is perceived to be less volatile than other investments like stocks or currencies.
3. Diversification: Gold is often used to diversify investment portfolios. Its price movements are typically not strongly correlated with those of stocks or bonds, so holding gold can reduce overall portfolio risk.
4. Inflation Hedge: Gold is often viewed as a hedge against inflation. When the value of currency decreases due to inflation, the price of gold often rises, preserving purchasing power.
5. Global Demand: Gold has universal value and demand. It’s used not only for investment purposes but also in jewelry, technology, and central bank reserves, which supports its market liquidity.

Here are several short-term and long-term ways to get exposure to the metal.

Short-term play for gold

One short-term play on gold is buying options on the VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX)

The GDX is the ETF that holds mining stocks.

As gold continues to go higher, these mining companies should continue to outperform as well.

I first recommended getting into GDX back in February, and as you’ll see by the chart above, its been on the rise.

Long-term play for gold

When it comes to finding the best gold companies for long-term plays, it’s crucial to find companies that focus on shareholder value.

But the truth is… not all gold companies operate this way.

Take Barrick Gold (GOLD), for example…

Barrick is focused more on transactions. In fact, its gold production hasn’t increased over the last 7 years – despite increasing its reserves from 77 million ounces to 125 million.

Overall, this transaction-first focus is the reason Barrick hasn’t approached new all-time highs despite gold’s recent surge.

Here’s how you know if a company is focusing on shareholders.

If a company is willing to issue shares in private placements and financing provided that dilution will be faster than shares outstanding, then you have a company that’s focused on shareholder value.

YOUR ACTION PLAN

Overall, when it comes to finding gold companies, it’s important to look for companies that are trying to grow ounces from the ground rather than outstanding shares.

And I have one gold company that fits that bill.

It’s currently trading around $12, and I believe it’s the most cost-effective way to get in on the metal right now.

Click here to unlock my “Ultimate Gold Play.”