by Ian Cooper

Gold is quickly regaining its shine.

In fact, depending on what happens in the Middle East, the yellow metal could easily push past $2,000, even $2,500 in the near term.

All with Iran now warning of further escalation, and the U.S. sending another carrier to the region. Not helping, Iran just issued a threat the U.S. would see “heavy losses” and gave Israel a deadline to end its military actions. 

“The situation in the region is very dangerous and open to all possibilities, including direct Iranian and American involvement. Neither side wants a head on confrontation, but they might nonetheless find themselves there as we go up the escalatory ladder of tit for tat,” Firas Maksad, director of outreach at the Middle East Institute, told Newsweek.

“Investors are fleeing to safe havens as the risks of Middle East tensions grow,” said Edward Moya, senior market analyst at OANDA, as quoted by Reuters. “If the geopolitical situation gets gloomier, there is a good chance that gold prices could go to the $2,000 levels this year. We have come from mid-$1,800s to mid-$1,900s, $2,000 is just a fraction of that.”

With that, investors may want to consider:

VanEck Vectors Gold Miners ETF (GDX)

One of the best ways to diversify at less cost is with an ETF, such as the VanEck Vectors Gold Miners ETF (GDX). Not only can you gain access to some of the biggest gold stocks in the world, you can do so at less cost. With an expense ratio of 0.51%, the ETF holds positions in Newmont Corp., Barrick Gold, Franco-Nevada, Agnico Eagle Mines, Gold Fields, and Wheaton Precious Metals to name a few.

Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF (SGDJ)

With an expense ratio of 0.35%, the Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF (SGDJ) seeks investment results that correspond to the performance of its underlying index, the Solactive Junior Gold Miners Custom Factors Index. The Index aims to track the performance of small-cap gold companies whose stocks are listed on regulated exchanges.