Gold ETFs are exchange-traded funds that aim to track the physical price of gold without having investors directly buy and store physical gold.
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These are the best gold ETFs based on year-to-date (YTD) performance for 2024.
| Logo | ETF name and ticker | ETF description | Expense ratio | YTD return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust (GLDM) | GLDM is a SPDR ETF that tracks the performance of the price of gold bullion. | 0.10% | 8.79% |
 | iShares Gold Trust Micro ETF of Benef Interest (IAUM) | Touted as the lowest-cost physical gold ETF currently on the market, IAUM is an iShares ETF that reflects the performance of the price of gold. | 0.09% | 8.79% |
 | GraniteShares Gold Shares (BAR) | BAR is a GraniteShares ETF, offering investors exposure to the price performance of physical gold. | 0.17% | 8.75% |
 | Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF (AAAU) | AAAU is a Goldman Sachs ETF, offering investors exposure to the performance of the price of gold. | 0.18% | 8.71% |
 | Franklin Responsibly Sourced Gold ETF (FGDL) | FGDL is an exchange-traded fund designed to provide exposure to responsibly sourced gold investments. | 0.15% | 8.70% |
Gold ETFs are funds that aim to track the price performance of gold or the performance of companies involved in the gold mining industry. A gold ETF’s value goes up or down based on the price of physical gold or company stock value.
Unlike individual gold stocks, gold mining ETFs expose you to a variety of companies through a single purchase. Unlike physical gold, gold ETFs that track the metal’s price performance expose investors to gold without them needing to store the physical metal itself.
What Matt says about getting exposure to gold through an ETF
ETFs present a convenient, cost-effective way to invest in gold without the burden of having to store the physical metal yourself. And with gold prices near $2,000 an ounce, ETFs also offer flexibility for investors who don't have a lot of money but who want exposure to this precious metal.
— Matt Miczulski, Editor, Investments.
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