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Gold’s price is plunging. Is this the right time to buy in?

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Financial downturn concept with gold bars and falling stock market graphs.
It could pay off to buy into gold now that the price is plunging.

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Gold has had an impressive year so far, outperforming many other assets over the last several months. Throughout 2024, the price of gold has consistently broken records and reached new all-time highs, fueled in large part by economic uncertainty, global instability and investor interest, underscoring its allure as a reliable investment in turbulent times. On the eve of the U.S. presidential election, the price per ounce was sitting at $2,748, just shy of its recent peak — and up by over 33% year-to-date. 

However, shortly after the election, gold’s price began to fall, dipping by about $80 to around $2,669 per ounce. This post-election plunge, which marked a three-week low, caught many investors by surprise and sparked speculation about what lies ahead for gold’s price. While some investors might be wary of the price drop, viewing it as a sign of instability, others see it as a potential entry point. 

This price drop raises an intriguing question: Is now the right time to buy into gold? Given its strong upward trajectory this year, today’s lower price may offer a strategic entry point, but there are many factors to consider. Below, we’ll break down what to consider.

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Should you buy gold as the price plunges?

The short answer is yes — now could be an excellent time to add gold to your portfolio. After all, gold has historically shown resilience and an ability to grow in value over time, especially during periods of economic uncertainty. Analysts predict that demand will keep pushing prices higher, with some expecting it to reach $3,000 per ounce in the coming months. This makes today’s prices an attractive buying opportunity for both beginners and those looking to expand their gold holdings.

Beyond potential price growth, gold serves as a unique asset in a well-balanced portfolio. Gold is known for its diversification benefits, offering protection against downturns in other markets. For example, during economic crises or inflationary periods, gold often outperforms stocks and bonds. This characteristic makes it valuable in today’s environment, where lingering inflation fears, potential interest rate adjustments and global tensions have caused volatility across multiple asset classes.

Investing in gold now can serve as an inflation hedge for the future as well. While the inflation rate is currently sitting near the Fed’s 2% target rate, there’s always a chance that inflation could tick back up unexpectedly. If that happens, the cost of goods and services increases and the purchasing power of cash diminishes, but gold tends to retain its value. This hedging ability has made gold particularly appealing in recent years. So, if you’re concerned about protecting your assets from future issues with inflation, adding gold could be a strategic move.

Central banks are also bolstering their gold reserves, which could help drive demand and further stabilize prices. Central banks have been consistent buyers of gold, both as a hedge and as a way to diversify their own reserves. Additionally, the industrial sector’s need for gold — particularly in electronics and medical devices — has remained robust, adding further demand. All these factors point to a positive long-term outlook for gold, making now a favorable time to invest, especially at a lower price.

Find out what your gold investing options are here.

What gold assets make sense right now?

If you’ve decided to invest in gold, the next question to answer is: What type of gold asset makes the most sense? Here’s what you may want to consider investing in now:

  • Physical gold: Gold bullion bars and coins offer a direct way to own gold without needing to rely on the market fluctuations of other investment vehicles. Bullion provides a sense of security, as it’s an actual item you can hold. However, storing and insuring physical gold can add to your costs
  • Gold ETFs: For more flexibility and convenience, gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are a popular option. Gold ETFs allow investors to buy shares that represent ownership in a quantity of gold without the need to manage or store physical gold. They also provide liquidity and generally come with lower costs than physical gold. 
  • Gold mining stocks: Investing in gold mining companies offers exposure to gold’s price performance without directly buying the metal. When the price of gold rises, mining companies typically see increased profits, which can lead to higher stock prices. However, gold mining stocks can also be volatile, as they are affected by factors such as production costs. 

The bottom line

Ultimately, the decision to buy gold should align with your financial goals, risk tolerance and investment strategy, but the recent dip in gold’s price presents a unique opportunity for investors. Given its impressive performance this year and its strong long-term outlook, now could be a strategic time to buy in at a lower price point. Whether you choose physical gold, gold ETFs or gold mining stocks, each type of gold asset offers unique advantages that can enhance your portfolio. And, with its ability to hedge against inflation, provide diversification and serve as a safe haven in times of uncertainty, gold remains a wise choice for many investors.



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Former Israeli hostages released in truce 1 year ago call for action to release those still held

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Former Israeli hostages who were freed from Hamas captivity during a week-long humanitarian pause in fighting exactly one year ago Sunday called for immediate action to secure a deal for the release of those still held.

The only truce in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war on Nov. 24, 2023 – fewer than two months after fighting began – led to the release of 80 Israelis held by militants in Gaza. They were freed in exchange for 240 Palestinians detained in Israeli jails.

Repeated efforts since then by mediators from Qatar, Egypt and the United States to secure another truce and hostage release have failed. Qatar early this month said it was suspending its mediation role until the warring sides show “seriousness.”

Protests continue in Tel Aviv, demanding hostage swap deal
Thousands of Israelis gather with banners and photos of hostages to protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government for not signing the ceasefire agreement with Gaza and to demand hostage swap deal with Palestinians in Tel Aviv, Israel on November 23, 2024.

Mostafa Alkharouf/Anadolu via Getty Images


Gabriella Leimberg was kidnapped during the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack and was released along with her daughter, Mia, and sister Clara.

“For 53 days, the one thing that kept me going is that we, the people of Israel, the Jewish people, sanctify life — we don’t leave anyone behind,” she said.

Leimberg added: “Everything has already been said and now action is required. We don’t have any more time.”

Around 100 hostages are still in Gaza, and at least a third are believed to be dead.

“I survived and I was fortunate to get my entire family back,” Leimberg said. “I want and demand this for all the families of the hostages.”

Hamas wants Israel to end the war and withdraw all troops from Gaza. Israel has offered only to pause its offensive.

The Palestinian death toll from the war surpassed 44,000 this week, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count.

Israel Palestinians
Placards read in Hebrew: “The boss is satisfied, the hostages are dying” and “Instead of consciousness, make a deal”.

Maya Alleruzzo / AP


Danielle Aloni, who was kidnapped with her five-year-old daughter, Emelia, and freed after 49 days, spoke at the ceremony of the “increasing danger” those still being held face every day.

She said those still in captivity “suffer physical, sexual, and psychological abuse, their identity and dignity crushed anew each day”.

“It took the Israeli government about two months to secure a deal for me and 80 other Israeli hostages. Why is it taking over a year to reach another deal to free them from this hell?” asked Aloni, whose brother-in-law, David Cunio, and his brother, Ariel Cunio, are still being held.

She emphasized that, even though she and the other hostages gained their freedom a year ago, “we haven’t really left the tunnels,” — referring to Hamas’ underground tunnels where many of the hostages were held.

“The feeling of suffocation, the terrible humidity, the stench — these sensations still envelop us,” Aloni said.

“If people could truly understand what it means to be held in subhuman conditions in tunnels, surrounded by terrorists for 54 days — there’s no way they would allow hostages to remain there for 415 days!” said Raz Ben Ami, who was released in the deal a year ago.

Her husband, Ohad, is still among those being held.

Ben Ami called for a ceasefire to “bring back all the hostages as quickly as possible”.



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Couple charged for allegedly stealing $1 million from Lululemon in convoluted retail theft scheme

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A couple from Connecticut faces charges for allegedly taking part in an intricate retail theft operation targeting the apparel company Lululemon that may have amounted to $1 million worth of stolen items, according to a criminal complaint.

The couple, Jadion Anthony Richards, 44, and Akwele Nickeisha Lawes-Richards, 45, were arrested Nov. 14 in Woodbury, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis-St. Paul. Richards and Lawes-Richards have been charged with one count each of organized retail theft, which is a felony, the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office said. They are from Danbury, Connecticut.

The alleged operation impacted Lululemon stores in multiple states, including Minnesota. 

“Because of the outstanding work of the Roseville Police investigators — including their new Retail Crime Unit — as well as other law enforcement agencies, these individuals accused of this massive retail theft operation have been caught,” a spokesperson for the attorney’s office said in a statement on Nov. 18. “We will do everything in our power to hold these defendants accountable and continue to work with our law enforcement partners and retail merchants to put a stop to retail theft in our community.”

Both Richards and Lawes-Richards have posted bond as of Sunday and agreed to the terms of a court-ordered conditional release, according to the county attorney. For Richards, the court had set bail at $100,000 with conditional release, including weekly check-ins, or $600,000 with unconditional release. For Lawes-Richards, bail was set at $30,000 with conditional release and weekly check-ins or $200,000 with unconditional release. They are scheduled to appear again in court Dec. 16.

Prosecutors had asked for $1 million bond to be placed on each half of the couple, the attorney’s office said.

Richards and Lawes-Richards are accused by authorities of orchestrating a convoluted retail theft scheme that dates back to at least September. Their joint arrests came one day after the couple allegedly set off store alarms while trying to leave a Lululemon in Roseville, Minnesota, and an organized retail crime investigator, identified in charging documents by the initials R.P., recognized them.  

The couple were allowed to leave the Roseville store. But the investigator later told an officer who responded to the incident that Richards and Lawes-Richards were seasoned shoplifters, who apparently stole close to $5,000 worth of Lululemon items just that day and were potentially “responsible for hundreds of thousands of dollars in loss to the store across the country,” according to the complaint. That number was eventually estimated by an investigator for the brand to be even higher, with the criminal complaint placing it at as much as $1 million.

Richards and Lawes-Richards allegedly involved other individuals in their shoplifting pursuits, but none were identified by name in the complaint. Authorities said they were able to successfully pull off the thefts by distracting store employees and later committing fraudulent returns with the stolen items at different Lululemon stores.

“Between October 29, 2024 and October 30, 2024, RP documented eight theft incidents in Colorado involving Richards and Lawes-Richards and an unidentified woman,” authorities wrote in the complaint, describing an example of how the operation would allegedly unfold. 

“The group worked together using specific organized retail crime tactics such as blocking and distraction of associates to commit large thefts,” the complaint said. “They selected coats and jackets and held them up as if they were looking at them in a manner that blocked the view of staff and other guests while they selected and concealed items. They removed security sensors using a tool of some sort at multiple stores.”

CBS News contacted Lululemon for comment but did not receive an immediate reply.



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Former Trump national security adviser says next couple months are “really critical” for Ukraine

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Washington — Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, a former national security adviser to Donald Trump, said Sunday that the upcoming months will be “really critical” in determining the “next phase” of the war in Ukraine as the president-elect is expected to work to force a negotiated settlement when he enters office.

McMaster, a CBS News contributor, said on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” that Russia and Ukraine are both incentivized to make “as many gains on the battlefield as they can before the new Trump administration comes in” as the two countries seek leverage in negotiations.

With an eye toward strengthening Ukraine’s standing before President-elect Donald Trump returns to office in the new year, the Biden administration agreed in recent days to provide anti-personnel land mines for use, while lifting restrictions on Ukraine’s use of U.S.-made longer range missiles to strike within Russian territory. The moves come as Ukraine marked more than 1,000 days since Russia’s invasion in February 2022. 

Meanwhile, many of Trump’s key selection for top posts in his administration — Rep. Mike Waltz for national security adviser and Sens. Marco Rubio for secretary of state and JD Vance for Vice President — haven’t been supportive of providing continued assistance to Ukraine, or have advocated for a negotiated end to the war.

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H.R. McMaster on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan,” Nov. 24, 2024.

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McMaster said the dynamic is “a real problem” and delivers a “psychological blow to the Ukrainians.”

“Ukrainians are struggling to generate the manpower that they need and to sustain their defensive efforts, and it’s important that they get the weapons they need and the training that they need, but also they have to have the confidence that they can prevail,” he said. “And any sort of messages that we might reduce our aid are quite damaging to them from a moral perspective.”

McMaster said he’s hopeful that Trump’s picks, and the president-elect himself, will “begin to see the quite obvious connections between the war in Ukraine and this axis of aggressors that are doing everything they can to tear down the existing international order.” He cited the North Korean soldiers fighting on European soil in the first major war in Europe since World War II, the efforts China is taking to “sustain Russia’s war-making machine,” and the drones and missiles Iran has provided as part of the broader picture.

“So I think what’s happened is so many people have taken such a myopic view of Ukraine, and they’ve misunderstood Putin’s intentions and how consequential the war is to our interests across the world,” McMaster said. 

On Trump’s selections for top national security and defense posts, McMaster stressed the importance of the Senate’s advice and consent role in making sure “the best people are in those positions.”

McMaster outlined that based on his experience, Trump listens to advice and learns from those around him. And he argued that the nominees for director of national intelligence and defense secretary should be asked key questions like how they will “reconcile peace through strength,” and what they think “motivates, drives and constrains” Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump has tapped former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard to be director of national intelligence, who has been criticized for her views on Russia and other U.S. adversaries. McMaster said Sunday that Gabbard has a “fundamental misunderstanding” about what motivates Putin.

More broadly, McMaster said he “can’t understand” the Republicans who “tend to parrot Vladimir Putin’s talking points,” saying “they’ve got to disabuse themselves of this strange affection for Vladimir Putin.” 

Meanwhile, when asked about Trump’s recent selection of Sebastian Gorka as senior director for counterterrorism and deputy assistant to the president, McMaster said he doesn’t think Gorka is a good person to advise the president-elect on national security. But he noted that “the president, others who are working with him, will probably determine that pretty quickly.”



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