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GOLD

$58.91-0.92%Gold46/100
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ETFS Physical Gold · ETFS

Data as at 29 March 2026

TL;DR

Physically allocated gold ETF with bullion stored in HSBC's London vaults on an allocated basis — each investor's gold is identified and segregated rather than pooled with other investors' holdings.

MER (Annual Fee)
0.40%
#2 lowest in Gold
1Y Return
+30.3%
3Y Return (p.a.)
+29.2%
Dividend Yield
-
Non-distributing
AUM
$650M
Assets under management
Avg Daily Turnover
$44.3M
Avg shares × unit price
Unit Price
$58.91
As at 29 March 2026
Provider
ETFS
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Strategy

Holds physical gold on an allocated basis in HSBC's London vaults. Managed by ETF Securities, one of the original global gold ETF providers. Unhedged, providing AUD gold price exposure.

Top Holdings

Key Fact

GOLD uses allocated storage — each investor's gold is physically identified and segregated. This differs from unallocated arrangements where the metal is pooled and investors hold a creditor claim against the custodian rather than title to specific gold.

Suited for

Investors who specifically want allocated gold storage — where their gold is physically identified and cannot be lent out or used as collateral by the custodian.

Risks

Unhedged AUD exposure: AUD strength reduces AUD-denominated gold returns. Slightly higher MER than PMGOLD for similar gold price exposure, without the WA Government guarantee.

GOLD Comparisons

ETFCheck Score46/100
Fees (40%)40
Fund Size (25%)41
Liquidity (20%)100
Yield (15%)0
How scores are calculated →
Other Gold ETFs
PMGOLD
0.15% MER
64
QAU
0.59% MER
35View all Gold ETFs →

Frequently Asked Questions - GOLD

How is GOLD's physical gold actually stored and verified for investor protection?+
GOLD is backed by LBMA-standard allocated gold bars held in HSBC's secure vaults in London. Each bar's serial number, weight, and purity are published annually, giving investors verifiable proof of physical backing - a transparency feature unmatched by derivative-based gold ETFs like QAU. This allocated structure means the gold is legally segregated from HSBC's own assets, providing protection in the unlikely event of custodian insolvency, which appeals to risk-conscious Australian investors.
Why has GOLD outperformed QAU over the past year despite both tracking gold?+
GOLD returned 37.5% over the past year versus QAU's 34.8%, primarily because GOLD is unhedged and benefited from the Australian dollar's weakness against the USD during that period. When the AUD falls, each USD-denominated ounce of gold converts to more Australian dollars, boosting GOLD's returns. This currency tailwind is eliminated in QAU's hedged structure. Investors expecting continued AUD weakness may prefer GOLD, while those wanting pure gold exposure without currency risk should consider QAU.
Is GOLD's 0.40% MER the cheapest way to access gold on the ASX?+
At 0.40%, GOLD offers the lowest management fee among ASX-listed gold bullion ETFs, undercutting QAU's 0.59% MER. Over a decade on a $100,000 position, that 0.19% difference compounds to meaningful savings. GOLD also avoids the additional implicit costs of derivative rollovers that synthetic products incur. For Australian investors seeking straightforward, cost-effective physical gold exposure without currency hedging, GOLD is currently the most competitively priced option on the ASX.
How does the ATO treat GOLD for capital gains tax purposes in Australian portfolios?+
GOLD generates zero income distributions, so there are no annual taxable events - all returns are realised as capital gains upon sale. Australian individual investors holding GOLD for more than 12 months qualify for the 50% CGT discount, making it tax-efficient for long-term positions. SMSF trustees in accumulation phase pay 15% on discounted gains (effectively 10%). Because GOLD tracks a commodity, not equities, there are no franking credits, and investors should maintain accurate cost base records.