Gold ETFs give investors the ability to gain exposure to the yellow metal without having to directly deal with insurance and storage.
With gold ETFs you have two general options: gold ETFs that track the price of gold (a physically backed gold ETF) or equity-based gold ETFs (gold mining stocks).
So whether you are looking for a simple, low-cost option to invest in gold or want to dive in deeper (you can click on each ticker for access to a host of charts on each of these gold ETFs), simply scroll down to see several live lists that detail your options.
Physical Gold ETFs
Commodity type gold ETFs, also known as physically-backed gold ETFs basically track the price of gold.
While some gold ETFs choose to gain exposure through the spot market by holding gold bullion in physical vaults at various locations, others choose to buy gold futures contracts.
Gold Miner ETFs
Another type of gold ETF is a gold miners ETF which is an equity-based ETF. Gold miner ETFs do not track the price of gold directly but rather an index of gold-mining companies.
Each index has different selection criteria and minimum gold mining revenue requirements so investors should review the underlying gold miner ETF index to fully understand each ETF’s exposure to the gold mining industry.
Inverse Gold ETFs
Yet another type of gold ETF is an inverse gold ETF.
These gold ETFs simply go in exactly the opposite direction of the price of gold or the gold index it tracks.
For example, if the price of gold is down 1% on the day, a -1x inverse gold bullion ETF will be up 1%.
Leveraged Gold ETFs
The final type of gold ETF is the leveraged gold ETF.
These ETFs track gold (equity or commodity) or the inverse of gold with a certain multiple in performance.
For example, a 3x leveraged commodity gold ETF will gain 3% on the day if the gold price is up 1%.
Conversely, if the gold price is down 1%, the 3x leveraged commodity gold ETF will be down 3%.
Tread with caution.
Gold ETFs FAQ
Is there an ETF that tracks gold?
ETFvest lists 27 gold ETFs that track gold in some form. Of these, 11 track the physical metal without leverage.
What is the largest gold ETF?
SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) is the largest gold ETF with assets under management (AUM) in the $70 billion range. It is a physically-backed gold ETF (with gold bullion located in London vaults).
Do gold ETFs pay dividends?
Physical gold ETFs don’t pay dividends but equity-based gold ETFs do. Physical gold ETFs don’t pay dividends because they are tied to the actual commodity either physically or through futures contracts. However, equity-based gold ETFs will pass through any dividends paid by the gold mining company — though these dividend payments tend to be relatively low.
What is the oldest gold ETF?
SPDR Gold Trust (GLD) was the first gold ETF to invest directly in physical gold. It started trading on November 18, 2004.
