Expense ratios, volatility, and drawdowns reveal key differences between these top precious metal ETFs for risk-aware investors.The iShares Silver Trust (SLV 3.01%) and SPDR Gold Shares (GLD 3.13%) stand apart on recent performance, volatility, and cost—with SLV surging over the past year but GLD offering a smoother, lower-risk ride and a marginally lower fee.Both SLV and GLD are designed for investors looking to track the price of physical precious metals—silver and gold, respectively—without owning the me ...

Key Takeaways The dollar hovers around a four-year low amid U.S. policy uncertainty and political polarization.Yen strength on intervention speculation dragged the dollar lower, lifting FXY while UUP slid sharply.A weaker dollar may boost commodities, EM and crypto-linked ETFs such as GLD, ECOW and BKCH.A key gauge of the U.S. dollar dropped to its weakest level in almost four years, thanks to a growing yen and mounting concerns over U.S. policy stability, per Bloomberg, as quoted on Yahoo Finance.Policy Un ...

The U.S. dollar slid to a four-year low after President Donald Trump downplayed the currency’s decline earlier this month, adding further pressure on the greenback following a prolonged period of weakness, as quoted on Reuters.The dollar’s recent weakness reflects a combination of factors, including expectations of further Fed rate cuts, tariff-related uncertainty and concerns over Fed independence, among other policy uncertainties, eroding investor confidence in the U.S. macro-outlook.According to TradingV ...

Key Takeaways Geopolitical risks and trade tensions boost gold's safe-haven appeal.Gold prices are up 6.93% over the past five days and 60.88% over the past six months.ETFs like GLD and GDX help investors ride gold's momentum.Gold prices have already climbed 60.88% over the past six months and 93.20% over the past year. The metal has seen its prices gain 6.93% over the past five days, causing it to breach the $5,200 mark. The yellow metal’s powerful 2025 rally, fueled by robust central bank purchases and pe ...

Keith Gill, a Reddit user credited with inspiring GameStop's rally, during a YouTube livestream arranged on a laptop at the New York Stock Exchange on June 7, 2024.Michael Nagle | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesFive years after a band of online traders sent GameStop skyrocketing and upended Wall Street's assumptions about "dumb money," the influence of retail investors has proven more durable and long-lasting than many expected.What began as a dramatic short squeeze in early 2021 has evolved into a persistent forc ...

Core Insights - The influence of retail investors has proven to be more durable and long-lasting than expected, reshaping trading dynamics and pushing hedge funds to adapt [1][2] Retail Investor Participation - Retail trading participation in U.S. equities has risen to nearly 20% of daily trading volume, up from low single digits before the COVID-19 pandemic [4] - On high-volume days, retail participation can reach close to 40%, and in options trading, it can be as high as 50% [5] Market Dynamics - The retail investor community has become a persistent force in equity markets, providing a steady source of dip-buying flows that have supported one of the longest bull markets on record [2] - Hedge funds have learned to respect retail investors, who can mobilize capital quickly and influence market movements [10][11] Evolution of Retail Investors - Retail investors are now more informed and engaged, utilizing various tools and resources to make investment decisions [8] - The democratization of access to markets and information has significantly changed the landscape for retail investors [9] Wealth Transfer and Future Trends - A significant generational wealth transfer is expected, with millennials and Gen Z set to inherit approximately $120 trillion over the next 20 years, potentially increasing retail participation [16][17] - Brokerage firms are adapting to cater to younger investors, offering 24/7 trading and access to cryptocurrencies and private market offerings [17] Cultural Impact - The GameStop saga and the rise of meme stocks have left a mark on popular culture, influencing media representations such as the film "Dumb Money" [6][7]

Gold Prices Rise Above $5,000. These ETFs, Gold Miner Stocks Surge.| Investor's Business DailyBREAKING: [S&P 500 Hits Fresh High; Fed, Huge Earnings Loom]---Gold prices moved for the first time above $5,000 per ounce on Monday, buoyed partly by a weakened dollar, U.S. tariff threats against Canada and another possible Federal spending-fight shutdown. As the precious metal continued its strong advance into 2026, related ETFs and stocks moved higher before Monday's stock market open. SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) ga ...

Core Viewpoint - The article compares SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) and VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX), highlighting their differing exposures to gold and mining stocks, which shape their risk, cost, and diversification profiles [1][2]. Cost & Size Comparison - GLD has an expense ratio of 0.40%, while GDX has a higher expense ratio of 0.51% [3][4]. - As of January 22, 2026, GLD's one-year return is 77.6%, compared to GDX's significantly higher return of 180.2% [3]. - GLD has assets under management (AUM) of $148.2 billion, while GDX has AUM of $25.8 billion [3]. Performance & Risk Comparison - Over the past five years, GLD experienced a maximum drawdown of -21.03%, while GDX faced a more severe maximum drawdown of -46.52% [5]. - An investment of $1,000 in GLD would have grown to $2,596 over five years, whereas the same investment in GDX would have grown to $2,989 [5]. Investment Strategy Insights - GLD offers direct exposure to physical gold prices, making it less risky and more stable, while GDX provides exposure to gold mining companies, which can amplify returns but also increase risk [8][10]. - GDX's performance is more volatile, with a return of 189% in the last year compared to GLD's 77%, but it also has a higher risk profile due to the nature of mining operations [10][11]. - For investors seeking stable gold exposure, GLD is recommended, while GDX may appeal to those willing to accept higher risks for potentially greater returns [11].

Core Insights - SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) and abrdn Physical Platinum Shares ETF (PPLT) provide investors with access to precious metals, focusing on gold and platinum respectively [2][3] - GLD has a lower expense ratio and larger assets under management compared to PPLT, making it more affordable and liquid for long-term investors [4][5][9] Cost & Size Comparison - GLD has an expense ratio of 0.40% and assets under management (AUM) of $153.7 billion, while PPLT has a higher expense ratio of 0.60% and AUM of $2.0 billion [4] - The one-year return for GLD is 77.5%, whereas PPLT significantly outperformed with a return of 185.8% [4] Performance & Risk Analysis - Over five years, GLD experienced a maximum drawdown of -21.03%, while PPLT faced a steeper drawdown of -35.73% [6] - An investment of $1,000 would have grown to $2,396 in GLD compared to $2,133 in PPLT over the same period [6] Fund Structure & Strategy - PPLT is designed for investors seeking direct exposure to platinum with minimal credit risk, existing for 16 years without physical delivery or futures contracts [7] - GLD offers 100% exposure to the basic materials sector through physical gold holdings, being the oldest and largest US-listed gold ETF, which enhances its liquidity and acceptance [8]

January has already seen a fair share of market volatility, underscoring the year’s turbulent start and potentially setting the tone for what lies ahead in the months to come, while strengthening the case for increased portfolio exposure to gold. President Trump’s recent announcement of tariffs on eight European nations has made matters worse for an already volatile market environment.Since last Monday, the CBOE Volatility Index has surged about 27% and is up roughly 31% since the start of 2026, reflecting ...