Which is the Best Gold ETF to Invest In?
Gold ETFs provide investors with a cost-effective, convenient and easily traded method of gaining exposure to this precious metal without needing to store physical bullion themselves. Furthermore, they provide liquidity by being traded on stock exchanges throughout each trading day allowing buyers and sellers to trade continuously and smoothly without hassle or need for storage space.
SGOL provides high transparency by holding its physical-backed gold bars in vaults in London and Zurich, and providing access to their list via its website.
iShares Gold Trust (IAU)
Gold’s reputation of performing well during times of economic volatility makes it a highly desired asset to add to investment portfolios. Gold ETFs provide investors with access to daily price movements without the burden of storage and insurance costs; making them an appealing way of diversifying.
iShares Gold Trust (IAU) is an ideal option for investors who wish to get the most value out of their gold investments. IAU operates as a grantor trust that holds physical gold bullion in vaults; each share represents a fraction of IAU’s total holdings compared with SPDR Gold Shares (GLD), which owns physical metal but requires storage and insurance costs as part of its fees.
Over time, the IAU’s performance has closely tracked gold’s prices. But it is important to keep in mind that its future performance cannot be guaranteed; rather it depends on market conditions, including economic factors that affect other commodities or currencies.
SPDR Gold Shares (GLD)
GLD is the world’s largest gold ETF with an extensive track record. This fund invests both physically held gold bullion and cash to reduce volatility and better align performance with price movements of this precious metal. Furthermore, its backing by major investment firms makes this fund an excellent way to diversify portfolios with precious metals.
This ETF boasts a low expense ratio, offering investors access to gold’s price without needing to invest directly. Furthermore, its structure as a grantor trust makes this ETF tax-efficient.
Gold’s fluctuating price can make it hard to generate income from an ETF like GLD, which may make income-generating strategies challenging; however, investors can use options strategies with this ETF to generate leveraged upside. GLD makes an excellent addition to retirement accounts as it protects against inflation; furthermore, IRA eligibility adds appeal for investors seeking diversification of investments.
iShares Gold Trust (GLDM)
Gold has long been recognized as an effective diversifier and protection from inflation; historically it has generally increased with consumer prices. Unfortunately, purchasing physical gold can be costly and requires appropriate storage and insurance; such expenses may dissuade buy-and-hold investors, leading them to turn towards physically-backed gold ETFs such as GLDM with greater ease.
GLDM stands out among U.S. listed, physically-backed gold ETFs for its low costs and tracker vaults of audited bars held in London that track the LBMA Gold Price (the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA). GLDM’s per share trading price is roughly 10% lower than GLD and only requires 10 basis points in annual fees; making it the perfect gold ETF for cost-conscious investors. Unfortunately, its lack of liquidity and trading volume makes GLDM smaller than its bigger rival and thus lacking bid-ask spread and options chain functionality; alternatively Aberdeen Standard Physical Gold Shares ETF (SGOL), offers options chain functionality along with higher trading volume.
VanEck Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDX)
ETFs that invest in gold mining companies offer an indirect way of accessing its price movements; however, such funds tend to be more risky and can experience extreme price fluctuation than physical bullion itself.
Profitability in gold mining depends on several variables, including market price for gold and production costs; therefore, ETFs tracking gold miners tend to closely follow physical gold prices.
As both GDX and GDXJ remain volatile in the short term, investors should carefully consider expense ratios, performance, holdings and liquidity when selecting their gold ETF investments. Furthermore, consulting with a financial advisor is recommended so as to best fit with personal goals and risk tolerances.
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