Gold hits record $4,000 per ounce; how U.S. investors can still gain exposure affordably
Gold surged to a record $4,000 per ounce amid the U.S. government shutdown — roughly a 94% rise from about $2,063.73 in January 2024 — even as equity markets largely shrugged it off, with the S&P 500 and Dow closing at record levels and Carson Group data showing an average 0.3% gain during past shutdowns and a 13% average gain in the 12 months after. U.S. investors seeking affordable exposure can consider fractional bullion (¼‑ and ½‑ounce coins/bars), dollar‑cost averaging, gold IRAs, gold ETFs and gold stocks, while noting that extended impasses or concurrent policy risks (like new tariffs) could change market dynamics.
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📌 Key Facts
- Gold's price reached a record $4,000 per ounce (reported Oct. 7, 2025).
- That level is roughly a 94% increase from $2,063.73 per ounce in January 2024.
- Affordable ways for U.S. investors to gain exposure include fractional bullion (¼- and ½-ounce bars/coins), dollar-cost averaging, gold IRAs, gold ETFs, and gold mining stocks.
- Despite a U.S. government shutdown in early October 2025, the S&P 500 closed up 0.3% and set a new all-time high, and the Dow also finished in record territory (reported Oct. 1, 2025).
- Carson Group analysis of 22 government shutdowns since 1976 found the S&P 500 averaged a 0.3% gain during shutdowns and a 13% average gain in the 12 months following shutdowns.
- Analysts say markets often shrug off shutdowns but caution that an extended impasse or concurrent policy risks (for example, new tariffs) could change that historical pattern.
📰 Sources (3)
Gold's price breaks record $4,000 per ounce. Here's how to get affordably invested now.
New information:
- Reports the precise new record price: $4,000 per ounce.
- Provides comparative historical figure: $2,063.73 per ounce in January 2024 (≈94% increase).
- Offers concrete, investor‑oriented, affordable options: fractional bullion (¼‑ and ½‑ounce bars/coins), dollar‑cost averaging examples, and alternatives such as gold IRAs, gold ETFs and gold stocks.
Investors are unfazed about the government shutdown. Here's why.
New information:
- Carson Group analysis cited: across 22 shutdowns since 1976 the S&P 500 averaged a 0.3% gain during shutdowns and a 13% average gain in the 12 months following shutdowns.
- Specific market action the day of reporting: the S&P 500 closed up 0.3% and set a new all‑time high; the Dow also finished in record territory.
- Sourced analyst commentary explaining why markets often shrug off shutdowns and caveats on how extended impasses or concurrent policy risks (new tariffs) could change that view.