Trade Gold & Silver CFDs
Speculate on Gold (XAUUSD) and Silver (XAGUSD) with tight spreads and leverage up to 1:200. No physical ownership, no storage — trade directly on MT4.
Gold & Silver CFDs
Access the two most actively traded precious metals through spot CFDs. Trade on price without physical ownership.
Gold is the world's most recognised store of value and the premier safe-haven financial asset. Its price is influenced by USD movements, real interest rates, inflation expectations, central bank reserve activity, and global risk sentiment. Gold tends to rise during periods of economic uncertainty and fall when the USD strengthens or real yields rise.
Silver is both a precious metal and an industrial commodity, with significant demand from the solar energy, electronics, and medical sectors. This dual role creates unique price dynamics — Silver often follows Gold's directional moves but with higher volatility. It is commonly used as a higher-beta alternative to Gold by traders seeking larger swings.
Metals CFD Trading Conditions
| Instrument | Spread From | Leverage | Min Size | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XAUUSD — Gold | 25 points | 1:200 | 0.01 lots | Mon–Fri, 24h |
| XAGUSD — Silver | 50 points | 1:100 | 0.01 lots | Mon–Fri, 24h |
Gold vs Silver — Key Differences
Both metals offer unique opportunities. Understanding the differences helps traders select the right instrument for their strategy.
| Characteristic | Gold (XAUUSD) | Silver (XAGUSD) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Role | Safe-haven / reserve asset | Precious metal + industrial commodity |
| Price Level | ~$2,000–3,500 per troy oz | ~$25–35 per troy oz |
| Volatility | Moderate | Higher (often 2–3x gold's moves) |
| Industrial Demand | Minimal (~10% of demand) | Significant (~55% of demand) |
| Market Correlation | High with risk-off sentiment | Follows gold + tech/solar sectors |
| Gold:Silver Ratio | Benchmark ratio | Compared to gold for relative value |
| Central Bank Demand | Significant (reserve holdings) | Minimal |
| Max Leverage | 1:200 | 1:100 |
What Drives Precious Metal Prices?
Metals prices are shaped by a combination of macroeconomic policy, dollar dynamics, industrial demand, and investor sentiment. Understanding these factors is essential for developing a metals trading strategy.
USD Strength / Weakness
Gold and Silver are priced in USD. A stronger dollar reduces their appeal to non-USD investors, typically pushing prices lower and vice versa.
Real Interest Rates
Lower real rates reduce the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets like gold, supporting prices. Rising real rates tend to weigh on metals.
Inflation Expectations
Gold is a traditional inflation hedge. Rising CPI expectations often boost demand for precious metals as a store of value.
Central Bank Purchases
Global central banks hold gold as a reserve asset. Large-scale purchases by central banks (especially emerging market) can shift supply/demand dynamics.
Geopolitical Tension
Wars, sanctions, and political instability drive safe-haven flows into Gold, often causing sharp short-term spikes.
Industrial & Tech Demand
Silver's dual role as precious metal and industrial commodity means demand from solar panels, EVs, and electronics adds unique price drivers absent in gold.
Mining Supply
Mine production levels, ore grade changes, and labour disruptions at major mines can affect medium-term supply balance.
Investor Sentiment / ETF Flows
Large ETF inflows or outflows (e.g. SPDR Gold Trust) reflect institutional demand and can trigger meaningful price moves.
Why Trade Precious Metals?
Gold and Silver offer unique characteristics driven by macro forces, safe-haven demand, and industrial fundamentals.
Safe-Haven Asset
Gold is historically sought during economic uncertainty, geopolitical stress, and market volatility — often moving counter to equities.
Industrial Demand
Silver has significant industrial applications in electronics, solar panels, and medical devices, adding fundamental demand drivers.
Inflation Hedge
Precious metals are widely regarded as a potential store of value and hedge against currency devaluation over longer time horizons.
USD Sensitivity
Gold and Silver are priced in USD — directly sensitive to US Dollar strength, Fed policy, and real interest rate movements.
Active Volatility
Metals can move sharply on economic data, central bank decisions, and geopolitical events — creating active swing trading conditions.
Long or Short
CFD structure allows you to trade in both directions — profit from rising prices (long) or falling prices (short) on Gold and Silver.
Precious metals prices can be highly volatile and subject to sudden large movements driven by macroeconomic events, central bank actions, and geopolitical developments. Leverage amplifies both potential profits and losses. It is possible to lose your entire deposited capital. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Spreads may vary under different market conditions.
Metals Trading FAQs
Trade Gold & Silver with Olla Trade
Open your account and access precious metals markets with competitive spreads and leverage up to 1:200.
Trading involves risk. Read our Risk Disclosures before trading.