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IAU vs GLD: iShares Gold Trust vs SPDR Gold Shares Comparison

Compare IAU (iShares Gold Trust) and GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) by expense ratio, dividend yield, holdings, and more.

Key Differences

  • 1Expense ratio: IAU 0.25% vs GLD 0.4% (IAU is 0.15%p cheaper)
  • 2Holdings: IAU 1 vs GLD 1
  • 3Issuer: IAU (BlackRock(iShares)) vs GLD (State Street(SPDR))

Conclusion

Recommended:Depends on your goals

IAU and GLD each have different strengths, so the choice depends on your investment objectives. Choose the one with lower fees if cost is a priority, or the one with higher yield if income is your goal.

CategoryIAUGLD
Fund NameiShares Gold TrustSPDR Gold Shares
Current Price......
CategoryBonds & CommoditiesBonds & Commodities
Expense Ratio0.25%0.4%
Dividend Yield0%0%
Holdings11

IAU Top Holdings

  1. 1. Physical Gold

GLD Top Holdings

  1. 1. Physical Gold

IAU Features

  • •Gold investing
  • •Inflation hedge
  • •Safe-haven asset
  • •Low cost

GLD Features

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

Pros & Cons

IAU

Advantages
  • ✓ Lower expense ratio than GLD
  • ✓ Inflation defense
  • ✓ Portfolio diversification
Disadvantages
  • ⚠ No interest income
  • ⚠ Storage costs
  • ⚠ Disadvantaged during dollar strength

GLD

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

Investment Strategy

Best For: IAU

Allocate 5-10% of portfolio to gold; alternative to GLD

Best For: GLD

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

Detailed Analysis

1. 분석

IAU (iShares Gold Trust) and GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) Both belong to the Bonds & Commodities category, covering a similar investment area but with different strategies. IAU: iShares Gold Trust (IAU) is an exchange-traded fund that provides investors with exposure to bonds, gold, and other commodities. It carries an expense ratio of 0.25%. The portfolio holds 1 securities. With an expense ratio of 0.25% and dividend yield of 0%, its top holdings include Physical Gold. Key features include Gold investing, Inflation hedge, with Lower expense ratio than GLD being a major advantage. 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%, top holdings include Physical Gold. Notable features are Gold investing, Safe-haven asset, with Portfolio hedge as a core strength. In terms of expense ratio, IAU is 0.15%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

IAU is suitable for Allocate 5-10% of portfolio to gold; alternative to GLD, while GLD is suitable for Allocate 5-10% for crisis hedging; increase during economic uncertainty. 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 IAU and GLD 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.

IAU vs GLD Investment Guide

Both IAU and GLD are popular US ETFs, but they differ in investment strategy and portfolio role. IAU has an expense ratio of 0.25%, while GLD charges 0.4%, giving IAU a cost advantage. In terms of dividend yield, IAU offers 0% while GLD offers 0%, both offering similar dividend levels.

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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Related Content

IAU Detail Analysis
ETF Details
GLD Detail Analysis
ETF Details
ETF Selection Guide
Investment Guide