Core Viewpoint - The Sprott Gold Miners ETF (SGDM) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU) provide different strategies and risk profiles for investors seeking exposure to gold, with SGDM focusing on gold mining companies and IAU tracking the spot price of gold directly [1]. Cost & Size - SGDM has an expense ratio of 0.50%, while IAU is more affordable at 0.25% [2][3]. - As of February 7, 2026, SGDM has a one-year return of 137.07%, significantly higher than IAU's 72.60% [2]. - SGDM has assets under management (AUM) of $718.12 million, compared to IAU's $78 billion [2]. Performance & Risk Comparison - SGDM has a maximum drawdown of -45.05% over five years, while IAU's data is not available [4]. - The growth of a $1,000 investment over five years is $2,735 for SGDM and $2,690 for IAU, indicating similar long-term performance [4]. Portfolio Composition - IAU is designed to track the spot price of gold, providing direct exposure to physical bullion and serving as a low-cost vehicle for gold price exposure [5]. - SGDM has a concentrated portfolio of 43 gold mining companies, with top holdings including Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd., Newmont Corp., and Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. [6]. Investor Considerations - Investing in precious metals ETFs like SGDM and IAU involves heightened volatility compared to stock-based ETFs, especially during economic and geopolitical turbulence [7]. - Gold prices can fluctuate sharply, benefiting investors as international entities increase their gold reserves amid a weakening U.S. dollar [8]. - While SGDM has outperformed IAU in the short term, both ETFs show nearly identical price returns over a five-year span, making SGDM potentially more suitable for investors uncomfortable with an ETF that only holds gold [9].

Group 1 - The article emphasizes the importance of in-depth research on undervalued miners, highlighting the potential for portfolio outperformance through strategic positioning [1] - Subscribers gain access to current portfolios and real-time buy/sell alerts, indicating a focus on active investment management [1] Group 2 - The article does not provide specific financial data or performance metrics related to the miners mentioned, focusing instead on the qualitative aspects of investment strategy [1]