What is the fee difference between GLD and SLV?

GLD charges 0.40% a year and SLV charges 0.50%. On a $10,000 position that is about $40 for GLD and $50 for SLV, a gap of $10 annually. Because the two trusts hold different metals, fees are only one part of the comparison; the price behavior of gold versus silver matters far more to total returns.

What do GLD and SLV hold?

GLD holds physical gold bullion and tracks the LBMA Gold Price. SLV holds physical silver bullion and tracks the LBMA Silver Price. Neither holds mining stocks, futures or bonds. Each share represents a fractional claim on the metal held in the trust's vaults, less the expenses accrued over time.

Do GLD and SLV overlap in holdings?

No. GLD holds only gold and SLV holds only silver, so there are no shared holdings. The two metals often move in the same direction because both respond to currency and interest rate trends, but silver typically moves further, in part because of its smaller market and industrial demand.

Do GLD or SLV pay dividends?

No. Neither gold nor silver produces income, so the trusts pay no dividends or interest. Returns come entirely from metal price changes. Expenses are covered by selling small amounts of metal, so the amount of gold or silver behind each share declines slowly, by 0.40% a year for GLD and 0.50% for SLV.

Which trust suits which investor?

GLD suits investors who want a store-of-value allocation with lower volatility than silver and a lower fee. SLV suits investors who want exposure to silver's dual role as an industrial and monetary metal and who accept larger price swings. Many investors who hold precious metals keep a larger share in gold.

How do GLD and SLV compare on size and liquidity?

GLD is far larger with $147.75 billion in net assets versus $32.81 billion for SLV. Both are among the most traded commodity trusts in the US, so retail investors should have no difficulty buying or selling ordinary amounts of either. GLD's scale reflects gold's larger role in investor portfolios.

Is silver more volatile than gold?

Historically, yes. Silver's market is smaller than gold's and a large share of demand comes from industry, so its price reacts to both economic cycles and investor sentiment. That combination has tended to produce larger moves in both directions. SLV holders should expect wider swings than GLD holders over similar periods.

How are precious metal trusts taxed?

Tax treatment depends on your country and account type. Some jurisdictions treat physically backed gold and silver trusts as collectibles rather than as ordinary shares, which can change the rate on gains. Using a tax-advantaged account may alter the outcome. Check the trust's tax documents and speak with a qualified adviser.

Can I hold both GLD and SLV?

Yes. Because they hold different metals, holding both spreads a precious metals allocation across gold and silver rather than duplicating exposure. Investors often weight gold more heavily for stability and add a smaller silver position for its higher sensitivity to industrial demand. The split depends on your risk tolerance.

GLD vs SLV

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

SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) holds physical gold and tracks the LBMA Gold Price, while iShares Silver Trust (SLV) holds physical silver and tracks the LBMA Silver Price. GLD charges 0.40% a year on $147.75 billion; SLV charges 0.50% on $32.81 billion. Neither pays a dividend. GLD suits investors seeking a gold allocation; SLV suits those who want silver exposure. Educational content, not financial advice.

SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) holds physical gold and tracks the LBMA Gold Price, while iShares Silver Trust (SLV) holds physical silver and tracks the LBMA Silver Price. GLD charges 0.40% a year on $147.75 ...

Fund Snapshot

Key Fund Metrics

GLD

Metric

SLV

0.40%

Expense Ratio

0.50%

–

Dividend Yield

–

$147.75B

Net Assets

$32.81B

–

Holdings

–

Nov 18, 2004

Inception Date

Apr 21, 2006

LBMA Gold Price

Index Tracked

LBMA Silver Price

Commodities Focused

Fund Category

Commodities Focused

GLD costs about $10.00 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 ETFs Rally Past $4,000 as Democratic Midterm Sweep Weakens Dollar and Yields

Gold jumped more than $100 intraday to move back above $4,000 an ounce after Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress, sending the dollar and Treasury yields lower.
The precious metal had previously fallen more than $120 an ounce on Oct. 30, breaking below $4,000, but has since recovered key support levels amid renewed buying interest in commodities.
While the rally is strong, analysts warn that rising real yields and resilient U.S. economic data, including a service sector expansion in October, could limit further gains ahead of upcoming jobs reports.

Sentiment:

🐃Bullish

Gold ETFs Rally Past $4,000 as Democratic Midterm Sweep Weakens Dollar and Yields

Gold jumped more than $100 intraday to move back above $4,000 an ounce after Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress, sending the dollar and Treasury yields lower.
The precious metal had previously fallen more than $120 an ounce on Oct. 30, breaking below $4,000, but has since recovered key support levels amid renewed buying interest in commodities.
While the rally is strong, analysts warn that rising real yields and resilient U.S. economic data, including a service sector expansion in October, could limit further gains ahead of upcoming jobs reports.

Sentiment:

🐃Bullish

Discover More Comparisons

GLD vs IAUM

Compare GLD and IAUM gold ETFs on fees, net assets, dividend yields and holdings. GLD has a 0.40% expense ratio, IAUM 0.09%. Index tracking not available.

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.

Investment Analysis

GLD

Pros

Largest physically backed gold trust with $147.75 billion in net assets
Lower expense ratio of 0.40% versus 0.50% for SLV
Gold has historically been less volatile than silver over comparable periods

Considerations

Costs $40 a year per $10,000 invested with no income to offset it
Gold has little industrial demand, so returns depend on investment sentiment
Fee is high relative to broad equity index funds

SLV

Pros

Direct exposure to physical silver, tracking the LBMA Silver Price
Silver has industrial uses alongside its role as a monetary metal
Large trust at $32.81 billion, trading since April 2006

Considerations

Higher expense ratio of 0.50%, or $50 a year per $10,000 invested
Silver prices tend to swing more sharply than gold prices
No dividends or interest, so the fee is a pure drag on returns

Related Market Insights

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9 February 2026

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Safe Haven Gold Rush: The Mining Opportunity Hidden in Plain Sight

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Aimee Silverwood | Financial Analyst

9 February 2026

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About GLD and SLV

GLD (GLD)

SPDR Gold Shares (ticker GLD) is a large, liquid exchange-traded fund that aims to reflect the price of gold bullion. It holds allocated physical gold stored in secure vaults and offers investors an efficient way to gain exposure to the gold price without owning metal directly. With a market capitalisation around $51.72 billion, GLD is commonly used for portfolio diversification, inflation hedging and as a store of value during market stress. The fund does not pay dividends; returns depend on changes in the gold price less management fees and operating costs. Investors should be aware of price volatility, potential tracking differences and jurisdictional tax rules that can differ from equities. GLD may suit investors seeking straightforward commodity exposure within brokerage accounts, but it is not appropriate for those seeking income. This summary is educational only and not personalised investment advice — consider your objectives and risk tolerance and seek professional guidance if needed.

SLV (SLV)

Which Baskets Do They Appear In?

Safe Haven Demand: The Next Chapter for Gold Miners

Rising military tensions between the U.S. and Iran have caused a significant surge in gold and silver prices as investors flock to safe-haven assets. This theme focuses on precious metals mining companies that stand to benefit from the increased demand and higher commodity prices driven by geopolitical uncertainty.

Published: 9 February 2026

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Which Baskets Do They Appear In?

Safe Haven Demand: The Next Chapter for Gold Miners

Rising military tensions between the U.S. and Iran have caused a significant surge in gold and silver prices as investors flock to safe-haven assets. This theme focuses on precious metals mining companies that stand to benefit from the increased demand and higher commodity prices driven by geopolitical uncertainty.

Published: 9 February 2026

Explore Basket

GLD vs SLV

Fund Snapshot

Why It’s Moving

Gold ETFs Rally Past $4,000 as Democratic Midterm Sweep Weakens Dollar and Yields

Gold ETFs Rally Past $4,000 as Democratic Midterm Sweep Weakens Dollar and Yields