GLD Holds More Gold While IAU Is More Affordable

Core Insights - The article compares two gold ETFs, iShares Gold Trust (IAU) and SPDR Gold Shares (GLD), highlighting their differences in expense ratios, assets under management, and historical performance [1][2]. Cost Comparison - IAU has a lower expense ratio of 0.25% compared to GLD's 0.40%, making it more affordable for long-term investors [3][4]. - GLD manages significantly more assets, with $173.3 billion in AUM versus IAU's $80.2 billion [3][12]. Performance Metrics - Over the past year, IAU has returned 73.1% while GLD has returned 72.9% [3]. - The maximum drawdown over five years for IAU is 20.93%, slightly better than GLD's 21.03% [5]. - A $1,000 investment in IAU would have grown to $2,719 over five years, compared to $2,700 for GLD [5]. Fund Structure - Both IAU and GLD are physically backed by gold and are designed to mirror gold bullion prices, appealing to investors seeking direct exposure to gold [2][6]. - IAU is classified under real estate due to sector mapping conventions, while GLD is classified under basic materials, but both function similarly as gold proxies [7]. Investor Considerations - Investors may find it challenging to identify significant differences between the two funds at a surface level, as both have similar performance and longevity [8]. - The primary focus for investors may be IAU's lower expense ratio when comparing the two ETFs [12].