Warren Buffett’s Skepticism Persists Despite Gold’s Record Surge

In early 2026, gold prices are the highest they’ve ever been, as both investors and central banks increase their holdings to hedge against inflation, economic risks, and the threat to the Federal Reserve’s independence. However, legendary investor Warren Buffett has voiced skepticism about gold as a long-term investment.

In this article, we revisit what Buffett has said about gold, examine his brief pivot into gold mining during the pandemic, and explore when gold might make sense in a long-term portfolio.

Warren Buffett’s Skepticism About Gold

Buffett has been critical of gold as an investment. In his 2011 Berkshire Hathaway shareholder letter, he described gold as ”neither of much use nor procreative,” emphasizing that it does not produce cash flow or create value over time.

Similarly, Buffett remarked in a 2011 interview with CNBC that “gold is a way of going along on fear.” That is, the price of gold relies on market sentiment and demand. When people grow more fearful of the economy, demand for gold rises and its price increases. And when people become less fearful, demand falls, and its price decreases. Ultimately, Buffett’s preference is for assets that generate cash flow and compound over time.

The 2020 Surprise: Berkshire’s Brief Bet on Gold Mining

In the second quarter of 2020, Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway disclosed that it held a $565 million stake in one of the largest gold mining companies in the world, Barrick Gold Corp.

This decision may have been surprising given Buffett’s previous statements about gold. While it may have been the decision of one of Berkshire Hathaway’s portfolio managers, Ted Weschler or Todd Combs, and not Buffet himself, it was still a notable and industry-altering decision at the time.

However, Berkshire Hathaway’s position in the gold mining company was relatively short-lived. The company sold off its shares of Barrick Gold by the end of Q4 2020.

Why Gold Is Surging Now

In early 2026, the price of gold has risen to all-time highs as macroeconomic uncertainty, inflation concerns, and political tensions have made the metal attractive.

However, today’s economic environment contrasts with the low-inflation, less volatile environment at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, right before Berkshire Hathaway invested in Barrick Gold in the second quarter of 2020. At that time, inflation was hovered around historically-low levels as the pandemic weighed on global economic activity. More recently, inflation has dropped considerably from a historic high of 9% in June 2022. As of January 2026, it was at 2.4%.

Still, inflation sits above the two-percent mark that economists strive for. As inflation remains elevated, some investors might find gold attractive as a safe haven in an increasingly uncertain economy.

When Might Gold Make Sense—Even for a Buffett-Inspired Investor?

While Buffett largely avoids gold, some scenarios may justify a modest allocation in your portfolio. For example, investors seeking portfolio diversification, insurance against market volatility, or assets that are not correlated with equities might consider investing in gold.

“For investors focused on growth and income, I recommend a 90-10 stocks-bonds split, with up to 2.5 percentage points of the 90% allocated to gold as a hedge against inflation,” certified financial planner and chartered financial consultant Laura DiFiglio of Northwestern Mutual told Investopedia via email.

How to Think About Gold in a Long-Term Portfolio

It’s crucial to weigh the opportunity cost and current market volatility when considering adding gold to your portfolio. Since commodities tend to act as a hedge against inflation rather than a vehicle for growth, it’s advisable to keep gold allocations modest. Ensure that your exposure aligns with your risk tolerance and investment timeline.

Speaking at the World Governments Summit in Dubai in early February, hedge fund Bridgewater Associates founder and former CEO Ray Dalio described gold’s potential defensive role in any portfolio and noted that it’s still the safest bet. “Gold is up about 65% from a year ago, and down about 16% from its high,” he said. “It’s a very effective diversifier to other parts of the portfolio,” Dalio said.

The Bottom Line

Buffett’s skepticism toward gold was clear: He said it’s a nonproductive asset that doesn’t generate income. While recent price surges may be tempting to investors, long-term wealth is built through assets that produce cash flow and compound over time. Gold may serve a hedging role, but it should not replace a disciplined, value-oriented investment strategy.