What is the primary structural difference between GLD and IAUM?

GLD (Gold Shares SPDR) is an exchange-traded note issued by SPDR, while IAUM (iShares Gold Trust) is an exchange-traded product structured as a grantor trust issued by iShares. Structurally, a note represents a debt obligation backed by the issuer's assets, whereas a grantor trust holds the physical asset directly, offering investors an undivided interest in that asset. Both funds provide exposure to the spot price of gold bullion. They are both commodities-focused ETFs, have 0.00% dividend yields, and their underlying index tracking is currently not available. Investors should understand these legal structures and associated risks.

What does it mean when a fund's index tracking is listed as not available?

When a fund's index tracking is listed as 'not available', it means a specific benchmark is not explicitly defined for the product. For both GLD (Gold Shares SPDR) and IAUM (iShares Gold Trust), the underlying index is not available. Investors rely on the fund's stated objective to understand its intended market exposure. GLD and IAUM track the performance of the spot price of gold bullion, minus their respective expenses. This requires understanding the fund's prospectus details, which currently are unavailable.

How do net assets affect the comparability of GLD and IAUM?

Net assets refer to a fund's total value. For GLD (Gold Shares SPDR) and IAUM (iShares Gold Trust), this data is currently not available. Without net assets, it is difficult to assess a fund's scale, which can influence trading volume, liquidity, and the potential for tracking error. When comparing funds, available net assets often provide context on their relative popularity. Investors should consult the provider's website for the latest fund factsheets, as this information may be updated. This is educational content, not financial advice.

How do expense ratios compare for GLD and IAUM, and what does it mean over time?

The expense ratio is an annual fee deducted from a fund's assets. Based on the provided ground truth, the expense ratio is 0.40% for GLD (Gold Shares SPDR) and 0.09% for IAUM (iShares Gold Trust). This represents a difference of 0.31 percentage points. Lower expenses can reduce the drag on an investor's return over time, making IAUM's 0.09% fee relatively advantageous if returns were otherwise identical. However, fees are just one factor among many. GLD and IAUM have distinct legal structures, both have 0.00% yields, and their index tracking is not available.

Do GLD and IAUM pay dividends?

Neither fund pays dividends; both GLD (Gold Shares SPDR) and IAUM (iShares Gold Trust) report a dividend yield of 0.00%. These are commodities-focused exchange-traded products that aim to track the spot price of gold bullion. Since physical gold does not generate yield or interest income, investors do not receive regular cash distributions. Instead, a fund's performance is reflected directly in its net asset value, which closely follows the underlying spot price of gold minus expenses. The return for investors in both funds relies entirely on the potential price appreciation of the gold bullion.

Which investing goals are typically associated with gold-focused funds like GLD and IAUM?

Gold-focused funds like GLD (Gold Shares SPDR) and IAUM (iShares Gold Trust) are typically associated with goals such as portfolio diversification and hedging against inflation or currency volatility. As commodities-focused investments that track the spot price of gold, they often exhibit low correlation with traditional asset classes like equities and bonds. While GLD operates as an exchange-traded note and IAUM as a grantor trust, both aim to provide direct exposure to the metal's price movements. Investors seeking a store of value often explore these funds, though neither index tracking nor net assets is available for comparison.

How do GLD and IAUM differ in terms of inception dates?

The inception dates for the funds differ significantly. GLD (Gold Shares SPDR) has an inception date of 18 November 2004, providing a much longer track record. IAUM (iShares Gold Trust), however, has an inception date of 15 June 2021. This is relatively recent, meaning its history under various market conditions is shorter. Investors looking at a fund's maturity might consider these dates, though a longer history does not guarantee future results. When comparing their structural differences, such as GLD being a note and IAUM a grantor trust, neither fund's index tracking or net assets is currently available for direct comparison.

What is the primary market exposure for GLD and IAUM?

Both GLD (Gold Shares SPDR) and IAUM (iShares Gold Trust) are categorised as Commodities Focused exchange-traded funds. Their primary market exposure is to the spot price of gold bullion. Investors choose these funds for direct price participation in the physical gold market without needing to store bullion. While both aim to mirror the metal's price, GLD operates as an exchange-traded note, whereas IAUM functions as a grantor trust. Neither fund offers index tracking or net assets information. Additionally, both have a 0.00% dividend yield.

How do sector weights and holdings affect comparison between GLD and IAUM?

Sector weights and top holdings data are currently not available for GLD (Gold Shares SPDR) and IAUM (iShares Gold Trust). This makes a detailed, quantitative comparison of their specific asset composition impossible based on the provided information. Typically, investors use such data to assess diversification, concentration risk, and exact market exposure. For gold-focused ETFs, a detailed breakdown might reveal subtle differences in underlying structures. For these specific funds, the lack of available holding details means investors must rely on the funds' stated objective of tracking the spot price of gold.

How can I verify the current expense ratios and net assets of GLD and IAUM?

Expense ratios for GLD (Gold Shares SPDR) are available at 0.40%, while IAUM (iShares Gold Trust) has an expense ratio of 0.09%. However, net assets, sector weights, top holdings, and index tracking are currently not available for both funds. These metrics can fluctuate over time. Investors should consult the official websites of SPDR for GLD and iShares for IAUM for the most up-to-date factsheets. Cross-checking data from reputable financial information portals like Yahoo Finance or Bloomberg is also a practical approach. Both funds report a dividend yield of 0.00%.

GLD vs IAUM

Two funds, one decision: we compare cost, performance and what each ETF actually holds in September 2026.

This page compares Gold Shares SPDR (GLD) and iShares Gold Trust (IAUM). Both are Commodities Focused ETFs with 0.00% dividend yields, but they differ in expense ratios (GLD 0.40%, IAUM 0.09%) and net assets. Index tracking is not available for either fund. Explore fees, holdings, and market approaches. Educational content, not financial advice.

This page compares Gold Shares SPDR (GLD) and iShares Gold Trust (IAUM). Both are Commodities Focused ETFs with 0.00% dividend yields, but they differ in expense ratios (GLD 0.40%, IAUM 0.09%) and net...

Fund Snapshot

Key Fund Metrics

GLD

Metric

IAUM

0.40%

Expense Ratio

0.09%

0.00%

Dividend Yield

0.00%

$147.75B

Net Assets

$8.09B

2

Holdings

–

Nov 18, 2004

Inception Date

Jun 15, 2021

–

Index Tracked

–

Commodities Focused

Fund Category

Commodities Focused

IAUM costs about $31.00 less per year for every $10,000 invested.

Shared Top Holdings

These funds do not share any of their top holdings.

Why It’s Moving

Gold ETF GLD Faces Pressure as Hawkish Fed Signals and Strong Dollar Test Critical Support

Hawkish monetary policy expectations and a rally in the U.S. dollar drove spot gold below $4,300 an ounce, directly impacting GLD's performance as investors repriced rate hike bets.
Stronger-than-expected September flash S&P Composite PMI data at 58.4 signaled robust services sector activity, reducing immediate safe-haven demand and pressuring precious metals.
Despite near-term volatility, institutional forecasts highlight limited downside risk with TD Securities projecting a move above $5,000 and Goldman Sachs citing undisclosed sovereign buying, particularly from China, as a key long-term driver.

Sentiment:

🐻Bearish

Gold ETF GLD Faces Pressure as Hawkish Fed Signals and Strong Dollar Test Critical Support

Hawkish monetary policy expectations and a rally in the U.S. dollar drove spot gold below $4,300 an ounce, directly impacting GLD's performance as investors repriced rate hike bets.
Stronger-than-expected September flash S&P Composite PMI data at 58.4 signaled robust services sector activity, reducing immediate safe-haven demand and pressuring precious metals.
Despite near-term volatility, institutional forecasts highlight limited downside risk with TD Securities projecting a move above $5,000 and Goldman Sachs citing undisclosed sovereign buying, particularly from China, as a key long-term driver.

Sentiment:

🐻Bearish

Discover More Comparisons

GLD vs GLDM

GLD vs GLDM compared: both hold physical gold, but GLD charges 0.40% and GLDM 0.10%. Size, history, tracking and which gold trust fits your goals.

GLD vs SGDM

Compare GLD and SGDM. Review expense ratios, net assets, and dividend yields. Analyse holdings to understand tracking differences for informed investment.

GLD vs IAU

GLD vs IAU: both hold physical gold and track the LBMA Gold Price. GLD charges 0.40% on $147.75B, IAU 0.25% on $64.93B, a 0.15% fee gap each year.

Investment Analysis

GLD

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IAUM

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