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iShares Gold Trust (IAU) and SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) are both designed to track the price of physical gold, giving investors a straightforward way to gain gold exposure without holding bullion. The key differences between the two funds are their expense ratios, scale, and trading liquidity, while performance and risk characteristics remain closely aligned.
A snapshot of the two heavyweight gold ETFs highlights the main structural differences for investors comparing ongoing costs and fund scale:
With neither fund paying a dividend, yield is not a factor in this comparison. IAU’s lower expense ratio makes it more cost-effective for long-term holding, while GLD’s larger size and liquidity may appeal to investors who prioritize ease of trading.
Over longer periods, the funds’ drawdowns and cumulative growth remain similar, reflecting their shared goal of tracking gold prices:
Beta measures price volatility relative to the S&P 500, and the 1-year return figures represent total return over the trailing 12 months.
Both ETFs are backed by physical gold bullion and are intended to provide “pure” gold price exposure.
Because both IAU and GLD track the price of gold, their performance is tied to the metal’s broader trend. Gold has increased more than 170% over the last five years, and it is often used as a safe-haven alternative investment that may help hedge against inflation and volatile market conditions while diversifying a portfolio.
The slight differences in overall growth and returns are attributed primarily to fees. GLD’s higher expense ratio means investors pay a larger ongoing cost to hold the fund, which can gradually reduce returns over time—an effect that matters most for long-term investors.
With betas below 1, both ETFs are described as less volatile than the broader market. The article also notes that holding shares in a brokerage account can be more convenient than storing physical gold bars, though some investors may prefer holding assets outside the traditional banking structure.
Ready Card users outside the European Economic Area have reportedly faced an abrupt service halt after a transition involving the card issuer disrupted the USDC spending product, according to user notices shared on X.
A notice shared…
