Invest in gold: Top brokers in the Philippines for 2025

How to Invest in gold

Investing in physical gold

Physical gold investment means you purchase actual gold bars or coins, typically from a reputable dealer. Ownership is direct and you choose between home storage, a bank's safety deposit box, or specialised vaulting services. While gold provides inflation protection and portfolio stability, you should consider costs for storage, insurance, and the practicalities of securely holding and selling your gold when needed.

Example of a Gold Investment

Example: You purchase a 20g gold bar for PHP 80,000 (at PHP 4,000 per gram). You decide to rent a safety deposit box for PHP 3,500 per year. After three years, if the gold price rises to PHP 5,200 per gram, your bar is now worth PHP 104,000. Your storage cost totals PHP 10,500 over the holding period.

Investing via ETFs and sector company stocks

With gold ETFs and mining sector stocks, you invest in products that track the price of gold or the performance of gold-mining companies, usually via the Philippine Stock Exchange or international markets. ETFs offer high liquidity and simplicity; mining stocks may also provide dividends. However, value may fluctuate with broader markets or company performance, and there can be differences in management fees, especially with international ETFs.

• Pros
• Quick transactions
• no need for physical storage
• fractional investment
• potential for dividends (with shares)
• Cons
• Subject to market and currency volatility
• management fees
• less direct exposure than buying physical gold

Example of Investment Scenarios

Example: You buy PHP 50,000 worth of a gold ETF at PHP 500 per unit. After two years, the ETF increases to PHP 650 per unit and you sell for PHP 65,000, gaining PHP 15,000 before transaction fees. Alternatively, you invest in mining company shares worth PHP 20,000 and receive PHP 1,000 in dividends during the year in addition to price changes.

Investing in gold with derivatives

Gold derivatives—including CFDs and futures contracts—allow you to speculate on gold price movements using leverage, which can amplify both gains and losses. These instruments require a good understanding of risk and are typically suited to experienced traders prepared for possible margin calls. Derivatives trading can be accessed through regulated online brokerages offering global commodity products.

Example of a CFD Trade

You buy a CFD contract to go "long" on 10 ounces of gold at PHP 290,000 per ounce (total PHP 2,900,000 value), needing only 10% margin (PHP 290,000). Price rises 5% (to PHP 304,500/oz), so your gain is PHP 145,000 (5% of PHP 2,900,000), minus fees. If price falls just 5%, you lose the same amount—potentially your full margin.

How to choose the best broker to invest in gold?

When investing in gold, choosing the right broker in the Philippines largely depends on your preferred investment vehicle—whether it's physical gold, gold-backed ETFs and sector stocks, or trading gold derivatives. Each method involves different risks, fees, and service expectations, so it's important to evaluate brokers based on what best fits your goals and investing experience.

Best broker for physical purchase

For those seeking to buy and hold physical gold (such as bars or coins), the broker or dealer’s credibility, transparency, and secure handling are essential. Physical gold is often chosen for long-term wealth preservation and inflation protection.

• Offers only certified and genuine gold (preferably LBMA-accredited or BSP-recognized in PH)
• Provides clear documentation on purity, weight, and origin
• Discloses full fee structure—premiums above spot price, storage, delivery, and insurance costs
• Offers secure storage options, such as bank vaults or private storage facilities
• Transparent buyback policy with published rates and simple procedures
• Clearly licensed by the appropriate Philippine authorities (e.g., Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas)
• Positive customer testimonials and strong track record

Expert advice:

Always verify the legitimacy of the broker, check they are licensed and regulated, and compare fees for storage, buyback, and delivery. Reliable customer service is crucial for resolving issues quickly and safely.

Best broker to invest in ETFs and sector company stocks

To invest in gold-backed ETFs or shares of gold-mining companies, the right broker is one with solid market access, competitive pricing, and a robust trading platform suited for Philippine and international markets.

• Must be registered with the SEC and a PSE member (local stocks/ETFs) or offer international trading
• Low commission and minimal hidden charges
• Easy-to-navigate online or app-based trading platform with research and real-time data on gold and sector stocks
• Access to US, Singapore, or Hong Kong exchanges if you want international gold ETFs
• Transparent reporting on all fees, taxes, and portfolio performance
• Reliable customer service, preferably with mobile and email support

Expert advice

Confirm the broker’s registration and fee transparency. Test the platform for ease of use, and make sure support is accessible when needed. International market access widens your gold investment choices.

Best broker to trade gold with derivatives

For more active investors aiming to trade gold price movements (using products like CFDs or gold futures), the ideal broker is one that provides regulated derivative trading, advanced trading tools, and strong risk management.

• Holds a license for derivatives trading from appropriate regulators (local or international, e.g., SEC, FCA, ASIC)
• Offers tight spreads and clear, competitive commission or fee structures
• Modern trading platform with real-time charting, pricing, and risk controls (e.g., stop loss, margin alerts)
• Access to global gold derivative markets (CFDs, futures contracts)
• Negative balance protection or other client safeguards
• Educational resources and responsive technical support

Expert advice

Ensure the broker is licensed to provide derivative trading and always check fee transparency. Platforms should offer strong risk protection tools and responsive support, as leveraged trading increases both risk and reward.

Why invest in gold?

Gold continues to attract attention from Filipino investors seeking stability, capital growth, and protection from the uncertainties of the global financial system. Its enduring role as a store of value, combined with its performance during times of economic volatility and currency shifts, makes it an effective choice for those aiming to build a resilient, diversified investment portfolio.

• Safe haven asset: Gold’s value often rises when financial markets become turbulent, helping to protect your wealth during crises.
• Hedge against inflation: Gold has a long history of maintaining purchasing power as the cost of goods and services increases.
• Diversification: Gold tends to move independently from stocks and bonds, lowering overall portfolio risk.
• High liquidity: Gold can be easily bought or sold anywhere in the world, including the Philippines.
• Central bank and institutional demand: Strong and sustained buying by central banks globally supports gold prices.
• Long-term value appreciation: Over the last decade, gold has achieved significant price gains despite short-term fluctuations.

*2025 figures are based on available mid-year data.

Gold’s proven strengths and impressive price development over the past decade reaffirm its ability to preserve and steadily grow capital for Philippine investors in the long term.

The fees associated with investing in gold

Understanding all potential fees before investing in gold is crucial for investors in the Philippines. Fees may appear small at first, but over time, they can significantly impact your net returns. Comparing the costs of physical gold, gold ETFs/sector stocks, and derivatives (such as CFDs) will help you choose the right strategy for your goals and avoid unexpected charges.

Buy/Sell Commissions

Each time you buy or sell physical gold, a commission is charged, typically as a flat fee. ETFs and gold stocks are also subject to transaction commissions with each buy or sell order. CFD trades may have a fixed per-contract commission, or the fee can be included in the spread.

Real Example

Buying a 50-gram gold bar (about $3,300) might incur a $45 commission from your dealer. Selling your bar later will likely require paying another $45. In comparison, purchasing $5,000 worth of a gold ETF through a broker might include a $10 commission per trade.

Brokerage Fees

Physical gold held outside a trading or custody service typically does not charge ongoing brokerage fees. However, platforms that offer gold ETFs, mining stocks, or other securities commonly charge platform or custody fees, either per transaction or as a monthly amount. CFDs generally do not have direct brokerage fees, as these are often absorbed into spreads or commissions.

Real Example: Brokerage Fees

If you hold $10,000 in a gold ETF on an online trading platform, you may be charged a $7 monthly platform fee, totalling $84 per year. If you simply hold your physical gold at home, there is no brokerage fee.

Spreads

The spread is the difference between the buy (ask) and sell (bid) price. For physical gold, the spread can be significant—dealers often set their prices several dollars per ounce above the current spot. ETFs usually offer tighter, percentage-based spreads. With CFDs, spreads are shown in pips and are a key cost in frequent trading.

Real Example:

If spot gold is $3,300/oz, your dealer sells at $3,310 and buys at $3,300, creating a $10/oz spread. For a gold ETF priced at $45 with a 0.2% spread, buying and selling 100 shares incurs a $9 spread cost. In CFDs, a 40-pip spread equals $4/oz—multiplied by the ounces you trade.

Other Fees

Additional costs can include storage and insurance for physical gold, management expenses and currency conversion for ETFs, or overnight and inactivity fees for derivative products.

Real Example:

Storing $8,000 worth of gold at a professional vault may incur a 1% yearly storage fee ($80) plus 0.25% insurance ($20), totaling $100 per year. Holding $7,000 in a gold ETF with a 0.3% management fee costs $21 per year. Trading a gold CFD overnight with a 0.05% fee for 30 days would amount to about $105 monthly.

The Tax on Income from Trading gold in the Philippines

Investing in gold in the Philippines is subject to different tax rules based on the method you use—physical bullion, ETFs or sector stocks, gold mining company shares, derivative contracts, or digital gold accounts. Understanding these tax treatments can help you plan your investment strategy and anticipate reporting requirements.

• Physical gold (bars/coins): Gains from selling gold as an investment are subject to 6% capital gains tax if classified as a real property sale; for bullion/jewelry, usually exempt if for personal use, but trading activity may trigger business income tax.
• Gold ETFs/ETCs: Sale of listed gold ETFs is subject to 0.6% stock transaction tax (STT) on the gross selling price. Gains over acquisition cost on unlisted funds may be subject to 15% capital gains tax.
• Gold mining company shares: Local shares incur a 0.6% stock transaction tax. Net gains may be taxed at 15% CGT if long-term. Dividends from domestic companies are subject to 10%–20% final withholding tax.
• Derivatives (CFDs, futures): Gains are taxed as ordinary income at your marginal income tax rate, up to 35%. No capital gains tax applies.
• Digital gold accounts: Tax depends on the account structure; regular trading is taxed as ordinary income, while long-term saving or occasional sales may qualify for capital gains tax if structured as a financial asset.
• Corporate investors: Profits from gold investment are included in the company’s regular taxable income and taxed at the prevailing corporate income tax rate, typically 25%.

Gold investors in the Philippines must accurately declare gains from selling gold assets in their annual tax return. Stock transaction taxes (STT) are withheld automatically on local stock market transactions, but gains from derivatives, digital accounts, and physical gold sales must be manually reported. If gold trading resembles a business, gross receipts tax or VAT may also apply. Maintain clear investment records and consult local tax guidance for detailed compliance on exemptions, applicable forms, and deadlines.

10 Tips for Choosing the Right Broker to Speculate on gold

Choosing a reliable and well-suited broker is a crucial step toward success when speculating on gold using derivatives like CFDs or futures. Your broker determines not just the cost and quality of trading, but also the safety, support, and resources available for your gold trading activities. Comparing brokers on core criteria helps ensure you make informed choices and manage risk effectively in the volatile gold market.

P. Laurore

Finance expert

Co-founder of HelloSafe and holder of a Master's degree in finance, Pauline has recognised expertise in personal finance, which she uses to help users better understand and optimise their financial choices. At HelloSafe, Pauline plays a key role in designing clear, educational content on savings, investments and personal finance. Passionate about financial education, Pauline strives, with every piece of content she oversees, to provide reliable, transparent and unbiased information for independent and informed financial management. To this end, she has tested over 100 trading platforms to help internet users make the right choices.