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GLD vs AGG: SPDR Gold Shares vs iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Comparison

Compare GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) and AGG (iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF) by expense ratio, dividend yield, holdings, and more.

Key Differences

  • 1Expense ratio: AGG 0.03% vs GLD 0.4% (AGG is 0.37%p cheaper)
  • 2Dividend yield: AGG 3.12% vs GLD 0%
  • 3Holdings: GLD 1 vs AGG 11,245
  • 4Issuer: GLD (State Street(SPDR)) vs AGG (BlackRock(iShares))

Conclusion

Recommended:AGG

AGG has an overall advantage with lower expense ratio (0.03% vs 0.4%), higher dividend yield (3.12% vs 0%). However, GLD also offers Portfolio hedge, making it worth considering depending on your portfolio goals.

CategoryGLDAGG
Fund NameSPDR Gold SharesiShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF
Current Price......
CategoryBonds & CommoditiesBonds & Commodities
Expense Ratio0.4%0.03%
Dividend Yield0%3.12%
Holdings111245

GLD Top Holdings

  1. 1. Physical Gold

AGG Top Holdings

  1. 1. U.S. Treasury Bonds
  2. 2. MBS
  3. 3. Corporate Bonds
  4. 4. Government Agency Bonds

GLD Features

  • •Gold investing
  • •Safe-haven asset
  • •Inflation hedge
  • •Crisis response

AGG Features

  • •Bond investing
  • •Stability
  • •Low volatility
  • •Diversification benefit

Pros & Cons

GLD

Advantages
  • ✓ Portfolio hedge
  • ✓ Inflation defense
  • ✓ Benefits from dollar weakness
Disadvantages
  • ⚠ No dividends
  • ⚠ Storage costs
  • ⚠ Opportunity cost

AGG

Advantages
  • ✓ Portfolio stabilization
  • ✓ Negative correlation with equities
  • ✓ Stable returns
Disadvantages
  • ⚠ Rising interest rate risk
  • ⚠ Low returns
  • ⚠ Inflation risk

Investment Strategy

Best For: GLD

Allocate 5-10% for crisis hedging; increase during economic uncertainty

Best For: AGG

Stocks:bonds = 60:40 or age-adjusted ratio

Detailed Analysis

1. 분석

GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) and AGG (iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF) Both belong to the Bonds & Commodities category, covering a similar investment area but with different strategies. GLD: SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) is an exchange-traded fund that provides investors with exposure to bonds, gold, and other commodities. It carries an expense ratio of 0.40%. The portfolio holds 1 securities. With an expense ratio of 0.4% and dividend yield of 0%, its top holdings include Physical Gold. Key features include Gold investing, Safe-haven asset, with Portfolio hedge being a major advantage. AGG: iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (AGG) is an exchange-traded fund that provides investors with exposure to bonds, gold, and other commodities. It carries an expense ratio of 0.03%. The fund offers a dividend yield of approximately 3.12%. The portfolio holds 11245 securities. With an expense ratio of 0.03% and dividend yield of 3.12%, top holdings include U.S. Treasury Bonds, MBS, Corporate Bonds. Notable features are Bond investing, Stability, with Portfolio stabilization as a core strength. In terms of expense ratio, AGG is 0.37%p cheaper, which can lead to significant cost savings through compounding over long-term investment. Over 20 years with a $100,000 investment, this difference can amount to thousands of dollars.

2. 추천

GLD is suitable for Allocate 5-10% for crisis hedging; increase during economic uncertainty, while AGG is suitable for Stocks:bonds = 60:40 or age-adjusted ratio. Since both ETFs are in the same category, choosing one for your portfolio is more efficient. Base your decision on expense ratio, liquidity, and issuer preference. For beginners, we recommend a core-satellite strategy: choose a low-cost, well-diversified ETF as your core holding, and allocate the rest to satellite positions.

3. 결론

Both GLD and AGG are excellent ETFs for their respective investment objectives. The key is to choose based on your investment goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. Rather than focusing on a single metric (dividend yield, fees, etc.), evaluate from a holistic portfolio perspective. Use our rebalancing calculator to easily determine the optimal asset allocation including both ETFs.

GLD vs AGG Investment Guide

Both GLD and AGG are popular US ETFs, but they differ in investment strategy and portfolio role. GLD has an expense ratio of 0.4%, while AGG charges 0.03%, giving AGG a cost advantage. In terms of dividend yield, GLD offers 0% while AGG offers 3.12%, making AGG the better choice for income investors.

When choosing between the two, consider your investment goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. If long-term growth is your priority, favor the ETF with lower fees and broader diversification. If you need steady cash flow, the higher-yielding ETF may be more suitable. You can also hold both in your portfolio for a complementary approach.

Regardless of which ETF you choose, maintaining your target allocation through regular rebalancing is key to long-term performance. Review your portfolio quarterly or semi-annually, and adjust if weights have drifted significantly. Our rebalancing calculator can automatically determine the buy/sell quantities for each holding.

5 Things to Check When Comparing ETFs

1.

Expense Ratio: Even a 0.1% difference in fees can translate to thousands of dollars over long-term investing. When two ETFs track a similar index, the lower-cost option has the edge.

2.

Tracking Index & Holdings: Even ETFs in the same category may track different indices. Review the top holdings and sector weights to find the best fit for your investment goals.

3.

Dividend Policy: Compare dividend frequency (monthly vs quarterly), yield, and dividend growth rate. Monthly dividend ETFs may be preferable if you need regular cash flow.

4.

Trading Volume & Liquidity: Sufficient daily trading volume ensures you can buy and sell at fair prices. Low-volume ETFs may have wider bid-ask spreads, increasing your trading costs.

5.

Portfolio Role: Determine whether the ETF serves as a core or satellite holding in your portfolio, and size your position accordingly.

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GLD Detail Analysis
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AGG Detail Analysis
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ETF Selection Guide
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