SPDR Gold Shares ETF (GLD) Holdings & Expense Ratio

For informational purposes only. Not financial advice.

Quick Answer

SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) has a last stored price of $378.67, as of the Oct 8, 2026 trading session. It has a 0.40% expense ratio and $147.8B in assets under management.

In the stored portfolio snapshot, the largest sector allocation is Cash & Others at 100.0%.

SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) ETF — Price, Holdings & Analysis

ETF Overview

The SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) is structured to provide investors with exposure to the price performance of physical gold bullion. As the first gold exchange-traded fund introduced in the U.S. and the initial U.S.-listed ETF backed by a tangible asset, GLD's strategy is straightforward: it holds physical gold in secure vaults, and the value of its shares aims to reflect the spot price of gold, less the Trust's operating expenses. This mechanism allows investors to gain exposure to gold without the complexities and costs associated with directly purchasing, storing, and insuring physical gold bars. The fund's entire asset base, represented as 100.0% in 'Cash & Others' within its sector allocation, directly corresponds to its holdings in physical gold bullion. This makes GLD a pure-play investment for those seeking to hedge against inflation, diversify portfolios, or capitalize on gold price movements. Its design is particularly appealing to institutional and individual investors who desire the liquidity of an ETF combined with the direct commodity exposure of physical gold, offering a potentially more cost-efficient alternative to traditional allocated bullion accounts.

Risk Metrics

Investing in SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) carries specific risks primarily due to its highly concentrated nature. The fund's entire portfolio is dedicated to physical gold bullion, meaning it faces 100% concentration risk in a single commodity. This exposes investors directly to the volatility and price fluctuations inherent in the global gold market, which can be influenced by factors such as interest rate changes, inflation expectations, geopolitical events, and the strength of the U.S. dollar. The fund's 3-year Beta of 0.45 indicates that GLD has historically exhibited lower volatility compared to the broader market, often acting as a diversifier; however, this does not eliminate the risk of significant price declines specific to gold. Furthermore, the expense ratio of 0.4000% represents a continuous drag on returns. This fee is deducted regardless of gold's performance, meaning that even if gold prices remain flat or decline, the value of GLD shares will still erode over time due to these operational expenses. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Beta: 0.45

Expense Ratio

0.40%

How Is the Fund Allocated?

Sector	Weight
Cash & Others	100.0%

Dividend Yield

0.00%

iShares Gold Trust (IAU) — 0.25% expense ratio
ProShares - UltraShort Silver (ZSL) — 0.95% expense ratio
iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (GSG) — 0.75% expense ratio
ProShares - UltraShort Bloomberg Natural Gas (KOLD) — 0.95% expense ratio
UBS AG ETRACS Crude Oil Shares Covered Call ETNs due April 24, 2037 (USOI) — 0.85% expense ratio

State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) (Equity) — 0.08% expense ratio
State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust (DIA) (Equity) — 0.16% expense ratio
State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) (Equity) — 0.08% expense ratio
State Street SPDR Global Dow ETF (DGT) (Equity) — 0.50% expense ratio
State Street US Equity Premium Income ETF (SPIN) (Equity) — 0.25% expense ratio
State Street Income Allocation ETF (INKM) (Multi-Asset) — 0.50% expense ratio

Questions & Answers

What is GLD and what does it track?

SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) is an exchange-traded fund issued by SPDR, launched on 2004-11-18. Its primary objective is to mirror the market price movements of physical gold bullion, after accounting for its operational expenses.

As the first gold ETF introduced in the U.S.

What is the expense ratio for GLD?

The expense ratio for SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) is 0.4000%. This fee is deducted annually from the fund's assets and covers the operational costs associated with managing the Trust, including storage, insurance, and administrative expenses.

What are the top holdings in GLD?

The SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) fund's investment strategy is to hold physical gold bullion. Therefore, its 'holdings' are entirely comprised of physical gold.

The sector allocation data reflects this as 100.0% in 'Cash & Others,' which in the context of GLD, represents the underlying physical gold bullion held in secure vaults on behalf of the Trust.

Is GLD a good long-term investment?

Evaluating GLD as a long-term investment depends on an investor's specific objectives and risk tolerance.

GLD provides direct exposure to physical gold, which historically has been considered a store of value, an inflation hedge, and a portfolio diversifier, especially during periods of market volatility or economic uncertainty.

How does GLD compare to similar ETFs?

GLD distinguishes itself among gold ETFs primarily through its substantial size and pioneering status.

With $147.75 billion in AUM, it is one of the largest and most liquid gold-backed ETFs available, which can be advantageous for institutional investors and those requiring significant trading volume.

Does GLD pay dividends?

No, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) does not pay dividends. The fund's dividend yield is 0.00%. This is because GLD holds physical gold bullion, which is a non-income-generating asset.

Unlike stocks or bonds that may pay dividends or interest, physical commodities like gold do not generate regular cash flow. Therefore, investors in GLD primarily seek returns through the appreciation of gold's market price, rather than through income distributions.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always do your own research and consult a financial advisor.

Data provided for informational purposes only.

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