SPDR Gold Trust Overview
Pro stress-test →SPDR Gold Trust (GLD) is the first US-traded gold ETF and first US-listed ETF backed by physical assets. The trust holds allocated gold bullion stored with custodians JPMorgan Chase Bank and HSBC Bank, allowing investors to gain gold exposure through a liquid, tradable security without the costs of owning physical gold directly.
Strategic Profile
Pro stress-test →As a physically-backed commodity ETF with $150.4 billion in net assets (as of June 2026), GLD provides institutional and retail investors with a low-cost, transparent gateway to precious metals. The trust's 0.40% expense ratio and secondary market trading mechanism make it a preferred alternative to traditional gold bullion accounts for price discovery and portfolio hedging.
Competitive Landscape
Pro stress-test →GLD competes with other precious metals ETFs including iShares Silver Trust (SLV), VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX), and physically-backed commodity products. As the market-leading gold ETF by assets, GLD maintains structural advantages through brand recognition, trading liquidity, and established custody relationships, though it faces increasing competition from alternative gold investment vehicles and lower-cost commodity products.
Industry Context
SPDR Gold Trust operates in Precious Metals Exchange-Traded Funds.
Key facts
Founded: 2004 · Headquarters: New York, US · Employees: N/A · Revenue: N/A · Market cap: $150.4B