What is the Spot Price of Precious Metals?
The spot price is the market value at which an ounce of precious metals, whether in the form of coins or bars, can be bought or sold. An important condition is the delivery of the goods within 24 hours of the transaction.
This indicator is not fixed; it constantly fluctuates, directly influencing both the buying and selling operations of physical investment metals. This includes coins and bars made of gold, silver, and other valuable metals.
What Determines the Price?
The price of any gold, platinum, or silver product is always composed of two main components: the spot price of the metal on the exchange and the so-called premium added by manufacturers, distributors, and dealers to ensure their profit.
The spot price is usually quoted in troy ounces, which is the standard unit of measurement in the precious metals market. However, this indicator is easily convertible into more familiar grams, as well as pennyweights or kilograms, depending on the needs.
| Component | Description |
| Spot Price | Exchange value of the metal |
| Premium | Markup by manufacturers, distributors, and dealers for profit |
How Does the Global Market Operate?
Trading in precious metals is conducted almost 24/7, twenty-three hours a day. The market is active from Sunday to Friday, with the only break lasting from 5 PM to 6 PM North American Eastern Time.
The largest exchanges where the spot price is formed are located in key global financial centers. These include New York, London, Zurich, Sydney, Tokyo, and Hong Kong, ensuring the continuity of trading operations worldwide.
Most over-the-counter markets closely overlap, creating a unified pricing space. It is important to note that officially there is no single fixed spot price for the opening or closing of a trading day.
Dealer Prices and Their Features
Many dealers use the terms 'bid' (maximum value) and 'ask' (minimum value) to indicate the current exchange (spot) price at a specific moment in time. This indicator is 'fluid,' meaning it can change throughout the day and is typically updated every 30–60 seconds.
The cost of coins and bars on different dealer websites can sometimes vary significantly. This is because dealers provide numerous services related to spot pricing, which affects the final cost for the buyer.
- Numerous spot pricing services provided by dealers.
- Dealers setting their own indicative spot price due to excessive market volatility or conflicting price information.
- Influence of supply and demand factors.
There is no universal spot price that is the same for everyone. It varies greatly among different manufacturers, distributors, and dealers. Furthermore, the size of the bid offer can range from the lowest to the highest spot price depending on current market demand and a particular dealer's inventory.
