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7 Best-Performing Gold Stocks For Hedging Against Volatility (July 2026)
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7 Best-Performing Gold Stocks For Hedging Against Volatility (July 2026)
Gold stocks provide a potential way for investors to buffer their portfolios from volatility and a falling dollar. Here's a list of the best-performing gold stocks this month.
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9 years of experience Expertise Stocks ETFs economic newsSam Taube writes about investing for NerdWallet. He has covered investing and financial news since earning his economics degree from the University of Maryland in 2016. Sam has previously written for Investopedia, Benzinga, Seeking Alpha, Wealth Daily and Investment U, and has worked as an editor for Investment U, Wealth Daily and Haven Investment Letter. He is based in Brooklyn, New York.
Sam Taube writes about investing for NerdWallet. He has covered investing and financial news since earning his economics degree from the University of Maryland in 2016. Sam has previously written for Investopedia, Benzinga, Seeking Alpha, Wealth Daily and Investment U, and has worked as an editor for Investment U, Wealth Daily and Haven Investment Letter. He is based in Brooklyn, New York. Published in Lead Writer + more + more
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13 years of experience Expertise Brokerage accounts stock market cryptocurrencyChris Davis is a Managing Editor on the Investing team. He has passed the Series 65 (Uniform Investment Adviser Law Exam) and covered the stock market, investing strategies, investment accounts and cryptocurrency. His work has appeared in The Associated Press, The Washington Post, MSN, Yahoo Finance, MarketWatch, Newsday and TheStreet.
Chris Davis is a Managing Editor on the Investing team. He has passed the Series 65 (Uniform Investment Adviser Law Exam) and covered the stock market, investing strategies, investment accounts and cryptocurrency. His work has appeared in The Associated Press, The Washington Post, MSN, Yahoo Finance, MarketWatch, Newsday and TheStreet. Published in Managing Editor + more + more Catch up on what's happenedGold's most recent all-time high was on Jan. 28, 2026, when it hit $5,589 per ounce. This was driven by geopolitical uncertainty (for example, with regard to Venezuela and Iran), anxiety about U.S. tariff threats, and volatility in the value of the dollar.
Gold's most recent all-time high was on Jan. 28, 2026, when it hit $5,589 per ounce. This was driven by geopolitical uncertainty (for example, with regard to Venezuela and Iran), anxiety about U.S. tariff threats, and volatility in the value of the dollar.Gold has fallen significantly since then, currently trading around $4,100 per ounce. However, the price may continue to fluctuate throughout 2026, as uncertainty in several arenas persists.
Gold has fallen significantly since then, currently trading around $4,100 per ounce. However, the price may continue to fluctuate throughout 2026, as uncertainty in several arenas persists.When investors are looking for stability, they often look to gold. Gold's value doesn't come from corporate earnings, interest rates or currency markets. Gold has been the go-to hedge for millennia, and it may still be able to play that role today. In particular, gold has a track record of holding its value against a decline in currency values, which is pertinent today in light of the dollar's volatility over the last year.
When investors are looking for stability, they often look to gold. Gold's value doesn't come from corporate earnings, interest rates or currency markets. Gold has been the go-to hedge for millennia, and it may still be able to play that role today. In particular, gold has a track record of holding its value against a decline in currency values, which is pertinent today in light of the dollar's volatility over the last year.But there are several different ways to buy gold — and if you don’t want the hassle of owning physical gold bullion or trading gold futures, there’s a good chance you’ll be curious about gold stocks.
But there are several different ways to buy gold — and if you don’t want the hassle of owning physical gold bullion or trading gold futures, there’s a good chance you’ll be curious about gold stocks.Although, if you are interested in owning actual gold, here are the brokerages where you can buy it.
Although, if you are are interested in owning actual gold, here are the brokerages where you can buy it .What are gold stocks?
What are gold stocks?Gold stocks are shares of publicly-traded companies that are involved in gold production. Some gold stocks are miners; this group can be further divided into junior (upstart) miners and senior (established) miners.
Gold stocks are shares of publicly-traded companies that are involved in gold production. Some gold stocks are miners; this group can be further divided into junior (upstart) miners and senior (established) miners.Others are gold streaming companies that don’t do any gold mining themselves, but rather invest in gold mining royalties from other firms.
Others are gold streaming companies that don’t do any gold mining themselves, but rather invest in gold mining royalties from other firms.7 best gold stocks by one-year performance
7 best gold stocks by one-year performanceBelow is a table of the 7 best-performing gold stocks in the NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index that are listed on major U.S. exchanges, ordered by one-year performance.
Below is a table of the 7 best-performing gold stocks in the NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index that are listed on major U.S. exchanges, ordered by one-year performance.The best-performing gold stock by one-year return is Hecla Mining Co (HL), which is up 157.96%.
The best-performing gold stock by one-year return is Hecla Mining Co (HL), which is up 157.96%.
The best-performing gold stock by one-year return is Hecla Mining Co (HL), which is up 157.96%.Ticker
TickerCompany
CompanyPerformance (Year)
Performance (Year)HL
HLHecla Mining Co
Hecla Mining Co157.96%
157.96%SSRM
SSRMSSR Mining Inc
SSR Mining Inc125.04%
125.04%IAG
IAGIamgold Corp
Iamgold Corp118.13%
118.13%AG
AGFirst Majestic Silver Corp
First Majestic Silver Corp103.89%
103.89%GOLD
GOLDGold.com Inc
Gold.com Inc87.83%
87.83%CDE
CDECoeur Mining Inc
Coeur Mining Inc80.94%
80.94%BVN
BVNCompania de Minas Buenaventura SA ADR
Compania de Minas Buenaventura SA ADR79.15%
79.15%Source: Finviz. Data is current as of July 1, 2026, and is intended for informational purposes only.
Source: Finviz. Data is current as of July 1, 2026, and is intended for informational purposes only.» Ready to start investing? See our picks for the best online brokers for stock trading
» Ready to start investing? » Ready to start investing? See our picks for the best online brokers for stock tradingNerdy Tip: If you want to build a little diversification into your investment, you can consider gold ETFs, which bundle several gold-related companies into a single investment.
Nerdy Tip: Nerdy Tip: If you want to build a little diversification into your investment, you can consider gold ETFs , which bundle several gold-related companies into a single investment. Make sense of the markets with The Nerdy Investor A weekly wrap on what's moving markets, plus two monthly deep-dives on how to improve your investing, straight to your inbox. Subscribe for freeTypes of gold stocks
Types of gold stocksJunior miners
Junior minersJunior miners are typically small gold mining companies that are often searching for new gold deposits — or setting up new mines — before their financing runs out.
Junior miners are typically small gold mining companies that are often searching for new gold deposits — or setting up new mines — before their financing runs out.Investing in a junior miner can be kind of like investing in a tech startup or a small-cap biotech stock. It’s a high-risk, high-potential-reward, race-against-the-clock proposition.
Investing in a junior miner can be kind of like investing in a tech startup or a small-cap biotech stock. It’s a high-risk, high-potential-reward, race-against-the-clock proposition.Some junior miners, like Alamos Gold (AGI), get multiple mines up and running and grow into senior miners. And in the case of AGI, that meant delivering triple-digit returns to shareholders. Others, like Pure Gold, run out of money and shut down before they start digging up gold consistently, leaving shareholders with nothing.
Some junior miners, like Alamos Gold (AGI), get multiple mines up and running and grow into senior miners. And in the case of AGI, that meant delivering triple-digit returns to shareholders. Others, like Pure Gold, run out of money and shut down before they start digging up gold consistently, leaving shareholders with nothing.Senior miners
Senior minersGold mining companies that are consistently producing gold are known as senior miners.
Gold mining companies that are consistently producing gold are known as senior miners.Because their operations are more well-established than junior miners, they’re not as speculative, “everything-or-nothing” investments. Instead, many senior mining stocks, such as Harmony Gold (HMY) and Kinross Gold (KGC), basically just move along with the market price of gold — but generally with much more volatility (higher highs and lower lows).
Because their operations are more well-established than junior miners, they’re not as speculative, “everything-or-nothing” investments. Instead, many senior mining stocks, such as Harmony Gold (HMY) and Kinross Gold (KGC), basically just move along with the market price of gold — but generally with much more volatility (higher highs and lower lows).Some senior miners act as gold mining venture capital firms, investing in junior miners.
Some senior miners act as gold mining venture capital firms, investing in junior miners.Gold streaming companies
Gold streaming companiesUnlike junior and senior miners, gold streaming companies don’t do any digging. Rather, they provide financing to the people who do the digging.
Unlike junior and senior miners, gold streaming companies don’t do any digging. Rather, they provide financing to the people who do the digging.Gold streamers provide miners — especially junior miners who are struggling to find seed capital — with upfront cash payments. In exchange, they get a share of whatever the miner digs up.
Gold streamers provide miners — especially junior miners who are struggling to find seed capital — with upfront cash payments. In exchange, they get a share of whatever the miner digs up.Like senior mining stocks, gold streaming stocks tend to track the market price of gold. They also tend to be high-dividend stocks. Some, such as Franco-Nevada (FNV), have increased their dividend every year for more than a decade and are well on their way to becoming dividend aristocrats.
Like senior mining stocks, gold streaming stocks tend to track the market price of gold. They also tend to be high-dividend stocks. Some, such as Franco-Nevada (FNV), have increased their dividend every year for more than a decade and are well on their way to becoming dividend aristocrats .Brokerage firms
Brokerage firms
Brokerage firmson Charles Schwab's website
on E*TRADE's website
on Vanguard's website
on Fidelity's website
Pros and cons of investing in gold stocks
Pros and cons of investing in gold stocksGold stocks behave very differently than other kinds of stocks — but they’re also definitely not the same thing as gold bullion. Given this neither-fish-nor-fowl status, gold stocks have a unique set of pros and cons.
Gold stocks behave very differently than other kinds of stocks — but they’re also definitely not the same thing as gold bullion. Given this neither-fish-nor-fowl status, gold stocks have a unique set of pros and cons.Pros of gold stocks
Pros of gold stocksMany pay dividends: In fact, most of the gold stocks listed above pay dividends. That’s one of the major advantages of gold stocks over gold bullion and futures.
Many pay dividends: Many pay dividends: In fact, most of the gold stocks listed above pay dividends. That’s one of the major advantages of gold stocks over gold bullion and futures.No maintenance or security costs: Another advantage of gold stocks over gold bullion is that you don’t have to physically look after your gold stocks. Keeping gold jewelry or coins clean and safe often costs money — and that eats into your returns.
No maintenance or security costs: No maintenance or security costs: Another advantage of gold stocks over gold bullion is that you don’t have to physically look after your gold stocks. Keeping gold jewelry or coins clean and safe often costs money — and that eats into your returns.Low price-correlation with major stock indexes: Gold stock returns are far more closely correlated with gold bullion returns than they are with the returns of the broader stock market, which can potentially make them an effective hedge against market trends. In other words, gold stocks generally don’t move in sync with the S&P 500, which can make them a good thing to own when the S&P 500 is down.
Low price-correlation with major stock indexes: Low price-correlation with major stock indexes: Gold stock returns are far more closely correlated with gold bullion returns than they are with the returns of the broader stock market, which can potentially make them an effective hedge against market trends. In other words, gold stocks generally don’t move in sync with the S&P 500, which can make them a good thing to own when the S&P 500 is down.Cons of gold stocks
Cons of gold stocksNot bullion — still some correlation with other stocks: Gold stocks do behave more like gold than they do like other stocks, but they’re not quite as independent of the stock market as gold bullion is.
Not bullion — still some correlation with other stocks: Not bullion — still some correlation with other stocks: Gold stocks do behave more like gold than they do like other stocks, but they’re not quite as independent of the stock market as gold bullion is.May not hold value in a severe crisis like bullion: One advantage of gold bullion is that people instinctively want it because it looks pretty. In the event of a disaster that disrupts banking and financial markets, such as a war, gold bullion can still be used to barter for goods, services or passage to a safe place. Gold stocks are more abstract as an asset, and may not have any easily redeemable value in such a crisis.
May not hold value in a severe crisis like bullion: May not hold value in a severe crisis like bullion: One advantage of gold bullion is that people instinctively want it because it looks pretty. In the event of a disaster that disrupts banking and financial markets, such as a war, gold bullion can still be used to barter for goods, services or passage to a safe place. Gold stocks are more abstract as an asset, and may not have any easily redeemable value in such a crisis.Complicated to research: You should always research stocks before buying, and gold stocks take a lot of work to research. The market price of gold can have major effects on the price of a gold stock. In addition to keeping track of all that, shareholders also have to stay on top of the usual company data — revenue, earnings, costs, debt and so on. Here's our guide on how to research stocks.
Complicated to research: Complicated to research: You should always research stocks before buying, and gold stocks take a lot of work to research. The market price of gold can have major effects on the price of a gold stock. In addition to keeping track of all that, shareholders also have to stay on top of the usual company data — revenue, earnings, costs, debt and so on. Here's our guide on how to research stocks .How to buy gold stocks
How to buy gold stocksIf you’re just starting out as an investor, the first step to buy gold stocks is to open a brokerage account. Once you’ve done that, you’ll need to decide between buying individual gold stocks or exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
If you’re just starting out as an investor, the first step to buy gold stocks is to open a brokerage account . Once you’ve done that, you’ll need to decide between buying individual gold stocks or exchange-traded funds (ETFs).Individual gold stocks
Individual gold stocksIndividual stocks can potentially offer higher returns than index funds.
Individual stocks can potentially offer higher returns than index funds.However, they also come with more volatility and risk than index funds, especially if you're day trading. They may also be more expensive to purchase (especially if you’re buying multiple gold stocks through a brokerage that doesn’t offer fractional shares) and more time-consuming to properly research.
However, they also come with more volatility and risk than index funds, especially if you're day trading. They may also be more expensive to purchase (especially if you’re buying multiple gold stocks through a brokerage that doesn’t offer fractional shares) and more time-consuming to properly research.One general rule-of-thumb to balance these considerations is to devote no more than 10% of your overall portfolio to individual stocks.
One general rule-of-thumb to balance these considerations is to devote no more than 10% of your overall portfolio to individual stocks.Gold stock ETFs
Gold stock ETFsGold ETFs, as mentioned earlier, can give investors access to dozens of gold stocks with a single purchase. It’s still important to research gold ETFs before investing, as they come in a few different varieties. Some gold ETFs contain gold mining stocks, but others invest in gold futures or bullion instead.
Gold ETFs, as mentioned earlier, can give investors access to dozens of gold stocks with a single purchase. It’s still important to research gold ETFs before investing, as they come in a few different varieties. Some gold ETFs contain gold mining stocks, but others invest in gold futures or bullion instead.» Next step: See our picks for the best brokers for ETF investing
» Next step: » Next step: See our picks for the best brokers for ETF investingNeither the author nor editor held positions in the aforementioned investments at the time of publication.
Neither the author nor editor held positions in the aforementioned investments at the time of publication. Neither the author nor editor held positions in the aforementioned investments at the time of publication. About the author Sam Taube Sam Taube Sam Taube writes about investing for NerdWallet. He has covered investing and financial news since earning his economics degree in 2016. See full bio.Helpful resources
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