Top Gold ETFs for Q1 2024 (2024)

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

  • iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM)

  • SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust (GLDM)

  • Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF (AAAU)

  • Markets News
  • ETF News

Top gold ETFs for Q1 2024 include IAUM, GLDM, AAAU

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Noah Bolton

Top Gold ETFs for Q1 2024 (1)

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Noah has about a year of freelance writing experience. He's worked on his investing website dealing with topics such as the stock market and financial advice for beginners.

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Published January 01, 2024

Top Gold ETFs for Q1 2024 (2)

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Gold prices have gained over 14% in the past year amid investors turning to the precious metal for a hedge against inflation and rising geopolitical risks. The yellow metal has also benefited from a lackluster U.S. dollar in recent months as investors dial back the Federal Reserve’s interest rate expectations. Typically, the price of gold and the U.S. dollar have an inverse correlation because demand for the precious metal fluctuates depending on the strength of the dollar.

Instead of physically holding the bullion, investors can gain cost-effective exposure to the metal by holding gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Below, we review the top gold ETFs that have generated the best returns over the past year. We exclude inverse and leveraged ETFs, as well as funds with less than $50 million in assets under management (AUM). All data below is as of Dec. 14.

Key Takeaways

  • Top gold ETFs provide cost-effective exposure to gold prices without having to physically hold the precious metal.
  • IAUM has an AUM of over $1.2 billion and has returned 12% over the past twelve months.
  • GLDM has a one-year return of 12% and holds $6 billion in net assets.
  • AAAU has over $607 million in net assets and returned 12% over the last year.

iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM)

  • Performance Over One-Year: 12%
  • Expense Ratio: 0.09%
  • Annual Dividend Yield: N/A
  • Three-Month Average Daily Volume: 344,794
  • Assets Under Management: $1.2 billion
  • Inception Date: June 15, 2021
  • Issuer: Blackrock Financial Management

The ETF aims to track the spot gold price by holding physical gold bullion. IAUM suits investors seeking a hedge against inflation and to diversify their portfolio. The fund’s low expense ratio also suits traders wanting to speculate on gold’s day-to-day price fluctuations. IAUM shares trade at 1/100th of the spot price for gold, making the fund ideal for investors who want to trade small order sizes.

SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust (GLDM)

  • Performance Over One-Year: 12%
  • Expense Ratio: 0.10%
  • Annual Dividend Yield: N/A
  • Three-Month Average Daily Volume: 1,891,440
  • Assets Under Management: $6.1 billion
  • Inception Date: June 15, 2018
  • Issuer: World Gold Council

The fund is marketed as an alternative to GLD, State Street's leading gold fund with $57 billion in assets under management. GLDM seeks to track the spot price of gold bullion, based on gold bars in London vaults. And it also operates as a grantor trust, meaning the fund's trustees can not lend out its assets.

Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF (AAAU)

  • Performance Over One-Year: 12%
  • Expense Ratio: 0.18%
  • Annual Dividend Yield: N/A
  • Three-Month Average Daily Volume: 1,559,172
  • Assets Under Management: $607 million
  • Inception Date: June 27, 2018
  • Issuer: Goldman Sachs

Like the first two funds, this ETF has an investment objective to provide a similar return to the spot gold price by holding gold bars. Similar to GLDM, they are structured as a grantor trust. The fund was acquired by Goldman Sachs Asset Management (GSAM) in 2020 from Cottonwood ETF Holdings. After the acquisition, the fund lost its convertibility feature, preventing investors from converting fund shares for delivery of physical gold through gold coins and bars.

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Top Gold ETFs for Q1 2024 (2024)

FAQs

What is the highest performing gold ETF? ›

Best-performing gold ETFs
TickerETF Name1-year return
IAUMiShares Gold Trust Micro ETF of Benef Interest15.52%
OUNZVanEck Merk Gold Trust15.49%
AAAUGoldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF15.46%
IAUFiShares Gold Strategy ETF14.75%
May 1, 2024

How to choose the best gold ETF? ›

Selecting the Right Gold ETF

You need to keep an eye on tracking errors as well as the trading volumes. Choose funds that have lower tracking error and higher trading volume. If you wish to buy or sell any ETF Unit, you can do that during trading hours of the stock market, which is 9.15 hrs to 15.30 hrs.

Which is better, IAU or GLD? ›

IAU - Performance Comparison. The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with GLD having a 17.00% return and IAU slightly higher at 17.06%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with GLD having a 6.03% annualized return and IAU not far ahead at 6.24%.

What is the best gold investment to buy? ›

5 of the Best Gold Stocks to Buy Now
StockMarket capitalizationYear-to-date performance as of May 8
Harmony Gold Mining Co. Ltd. (HMY)$5.6 billion45.4%
Barrick Gold Corp. (GOLD)$29.6 billion-7%
Gold Fields Ltd. (GFI)$14.6 billion12.6%
SPDR Gold Shares (GLD)$61.6 billion*11.7%
1 more row
May 9, 2024

What is the downside of a gold ETF? ›

Downsides of gold ETFs include exposure to counterparty risk, annual fees, and the possibility the fund fails to properly track the price of gold. Another drawback is that you don't physically own the gold.

Should I invest in gold ETF now? ›

Gold is better as a short to medium-term investment, as long-term returns on the yellow metal are often as low as 10 percent per annum. Do not make too heavy or long-term investments in gold. Allotting 5 percent to 10 percent of your investment portfolio to gold ETFs is a wise idea.

Is it better to buy physical gold or ETF? ›

People may choose to invest in gold ETFs rather than physical gold because owning shares in a gold ETF is more attainable and easier than holding physical gold. ETFs backed by physical gold can provide that exposure and diversification with a lower entry cost than buying gold bars or coins as an individual investor.

Is there a better investment than gold? ›

If you want an investment that provides an income stream, stocks are likely the better choice. Note: You might be able to earn dividends from gold stocks or gold ETFs, but these are riskier than investing in physical gold like bars and coins.

Which is better Sovereign gold Bond or gold ETF? ›

The decision between gold ETFs and SGBs hinges on your specific investment objectives and risk tolerance: For liquidity and flexibility: Opt for gold ETFs if you seek effortless buying and selling of your investment, potentially capitalizing on short-term price fluctuations.

Does GLD actually own gold? ›

The Trust has full ownership rights to the specific bars of gold allocated to the Trust's allocated account.

What is the most trusted gold company? ›

  • Best overall: Goldco.
  • Best for beginners: Oxford Gold Group.
  • Best for customer service: Lear Capital.
  • Best for customer reviews: American Hartford Gold.
  • Best for low fees: Birch Gold Group.
Apr 26, 2024

Which gold ETF has the lowest expense ratio? ›

iShares Gold Micro ETF has the lowest expense ratio. Invesco DB Precious Metals Fund has the best 1-year performance.

What is the best performing gold ETF? ›

The largest gold exchange-traded fund, or ETF, by a wide margin, is the SPDR Gold Trust, the go-to way for investors looking to play the precious metal. It boasts roughly $59 billion in assets under management, more than double that of the next closest gold ETF.

When to invest in gold in 2024? ›

Akshaya Tritiya 2024, a significant day for gold buying in India, falls on May 10. Buying gold on this auspicious day is believed to bring prosperity. Experts suggest gold investment as a hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty, emphasising its cultural and financial significance.

What is the best investment in 2024? ›

Overview: Best investments in 2024
  1. High-yield savings accounts. Overview: A high-yield online savings account pays you interest on your cash balance. ...
  2. Long-term certificates of deposit. ...
  3. Long-term corporate bond funds. ...
  4. Dividend stock funds. ...
  5. Value stock funds. ...
  6. Small-cap stock funds. ...
  7. REIT index funds.

Is there a 3X leveraged gold ETF? ›

About MicroSectors™ Gold 3X Leveraged ETN

The investment seeks return on the notes is linked to a three times leveraged participation in the daily performance of the SPDR® Gold Shares (the “ETF”), which is an exchange traded fund that invests in gold bullion.

Which ETF has the highest return? ›

100 Highest 5 Year ETF Returns
SymbolName5-Year Return
FNGOMicroSectors FANG+ Index 2X Leveraged ETNs50.00%
TECLDirexion Daily Technology Bull 3X Shares42.20%
GBTCGrayscale Bitcoin Trust40.63%
SOXLDirexion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3x Shares36.15%
93 more rows

Is it better to buy physical gold or gold ETF? ›

Physical Gold: Physical gold is less susceptible to market fluctuations and is often viewed as a stable store of value, especially in times of economic uncertainty. Gold ETFs: While ETFs provide convenient market exposure, they are subject to stock market volatility, fund management risks, and tracking errors.

Which gold stock pays the highest dividend? ›

Top gold mining companies by dividend yield
#NameDividend %
1B2Gold 1BTG5.69%
2Caledonia Mining 2CMCL5.25%
3DRDGOLD 3DRD5.18%
4Endeavour Mining 4EDV.TO3.72%
57 more rows

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