Why have gold prices been soaring?

What does gold as a “safe haven” mean?

Is this the right time to buy gold?

When do gold prices come down?

Physical gold versus paper gold

Tips for first-time gold investors

Gold prices have soared in 2025 but here are things to consider before buying your first gold bar.

Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a headstart in your personal finance and career with The Straits Times.

Gold has never looked shinier, especially as a safe haven in a volatile world. 

It reached highs when things were the most volatile, with Trump’s tariffs and then the federal government shutdown. 

But should you buy gold, how do you go about it and what are the considerations to be taken first? 

In this episode, ST business correspondent Sue-Ann Tan looks at how to make good use of the current gold rally. 

Her guests are OCBC Managing Director of Investment Strategy Vasu Menon and ST business journalist Timothy Goh. 

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:34 Why have gold prices been soaring? 

6:50 What does gold as a “safe haven” mean?

10:02 Is this the right time to buy gold?

16:00 When do gold prices come down?

19:56 Physical gold versus paper gold

24:13 Tips for first-time gold investors 

Read Sue-Ann Tan's articles: https://str.sg/mvSa

Follow Sue-Ann Tan on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/A86X

Host: Sue-Ann Tan (suetan@sph.com.sg)

Produced & edited by: Amirul Karim

Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Lynda Hong & Joanna Seow

Follow Headstart On Record Podcast channel here:

Channel: https://str.sg/wB2m

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wuN3

Spotify: https://str.sg/wBr9

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Get business/career tips in ST's Headstart newsletter: https://str.sg/headstart-nl

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg

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Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

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Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

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Do note: All analyses, opinions, recommendations and other information in this podcast are for your general information only. You should not rely on them in making any decision. Please consult a fully qualified financial adviser or professional expert for independent advice and verification. To the fullest extent permitted by law, SPH Media shall not be liable for any loss arising from the use of or reliance on any analyses, opinions, recommendations and other information in this podcast. SPH Media accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever that may result or arise from the products, services or information of any third parties.

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#headstart

Gold prices have soared in 2025 but here are things to consider before buying your first gold bar.
Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a headstart in your personal finance and career with The Straits Times.
Gold has never looked shinier, especially as a safe haven in a volatile world.&nbsp;
It reached highs when things were the most volatile, with Trump&rsquo;s tariffs and then the federal government shutdown.&nbsp;
But should you buy gold, how do you go about it and what are the considerations to be taken first?&nbsp;
In this episode, ST business correspondent Sue-Ann Tan looks at how to make good use of the current gold rally.&nbsp;
Her guests are OCBC Managing Director of Investment Strategy Vasu Menon and ST business journalist Timothy Goh.&nbsp;
Highlights (click/tap above):
1:34 Why have gold prices been soaring?&nbsp;
6:50 What does gold as a &ldquo;safe haven&rdquo; mean?
10:02 Is this the right time to buy gold?
16:00 When do gold prices come down?
19:56 Physical gold versus paper gold
24:13 Tips for first-time gold investors&nbsp;
Read Sue-Ann Tan's articles:<a href="https://str.sg/mvSa"> https://str.sg/mvSa</a>
Follow Sue-Ann Tan on LinkedIn:<a href="https://str.sg/A86X"> https://str.sg/A86X</a>
Host: Sue-Ann Tan (<a href="mailto:suetan@sph.com.sg">suetan@sph.com.sg</a>)
Produced &amp; edited by: Amirul Karim
Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Lynda Hong &amp; Joanna Seow
Follow Headstart On Record Podcast channel here:
Channel:<a href="https://str.sg/wB2m"> https://str.sg/wB2m</a>
Apple Podcasts:<a href="https://str.sg/wuN3"> https://str.sg/wuN3</a>
Spotify:<a href="https://str.sg/wBr9"> https://str.sg/wBr9</a>
Feedback to: <a href="mailto:podcast@sph.com.sg">podcast@sph.com.sg</a>
Get business/career tips in ST's Headstart newsletter:<a href="http://str.sg/headstart-nl"> https://str.sg/headstart-nl</a>
SPH Awedio app:<a href="https://www.awedio.sg"> https://www.awedio.sg</a>
---
Follow more ST podcast channels:
All-in-one ST Podcasts channel:<a href="https://str.sg/wvz7"> https://str.sg/wvz7</a>
Get more updates:<a href="http://str.sg/stpodcasts"> http://str.sg/stpodcasts</a>
The Usual Place Podcast YouTube:<a href="https://str.sg/4Vwsa"> https://str.sg/4Vwsa</a>
---
Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:
The App Store: <a href="https://str.sg/icyB">https://str.sg/icyB</a>
Google Play: <a href="https://str.sg/icyX">https://str.sg/icyX</a>
---
Do note: All analyses, opinions, recommendations and other information in this podcast are for your general information only. You should not rely on them in making any decision. Please consult a fully qualified financial adviser or professional expert for independent advice and verification. To the fullest extent permitted by law, SPH Media shall not be liable for any loss arising from the use of or reliance on any analyses, opinions, recommendations and other information in this podcast. SPH Media accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever that may result or arise from the products, services or information of any third parties.
---
#headstart

Get a headstart in your personal finance and career with The Straits Times.

Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a headstart in your personal finance and career with The Straits Times.

Podcasters: Sue-Ann Tan & Tay Hong Yi

Produced & edited by: Amirul Karim

Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong

A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.

Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a headstart in your personal finance and career with The Straits Times.
Podcasters: Sue-Ann Tan &amp; Tay Hong Yi
Produced &amp; edited by: Amirul Karim
Executive producers: Ernest Luis &amp; Lynda Hong
A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.

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