Gold ETFs: AAAU Offers Lower Fees, While GDX Provides Dividend Income

Jake Lerch, The Motley Fool

Thu, June 4, 2026 astatine 9:22 AM CDT 4 min read

The prime betwixt Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF (NYSEMKT:AAAU) and VanEck Gold Miners ETF (NYSEMKT:GDX) depends connected whether an capitalist seeks nonstop bullion vulnerability oregon the higher volatility of miners.

These 2 funds connection chiseled ways to play the golden market. While 1 tracks the metallic itself, the different follows the companies digging it retired of the ground. Understanding the differences successful volatility, costs, and dividends is indispensable for immoderate portfolio allocation successful the precious metals space.

Snapshot (cost & size)

Beta measures terms volatility comparative to the S&P 500; beta is calculated from five-year monthly returns. The 1-yr instrumentality represents full instrumentality implicit the trailing 12 months. Dividend output is the trailing-12-month organisation yield.

The Goldman Sachs money is importantly much affordable, charging an disbursal ratio of 0.18% compared to the VanEck fund's 0.51%. While the VanEck money pays a tiny dividend, the carnal golden money offers nary yield.

Performance & hazard examination

What's wrong

Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF (AAAU) seeks to bespeak the show of the terms of golden bullion by holding the carnal metallic successful a trust. Because it holds carnal golden alternatively than equities, it has nary accepted apical holdings oregon company-level diversification. This money was launched successful 2018 and paid nary dividends implicit the trailing 12 months.

VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) tracks an scale of 57 planetary golden mining companies, providing 100% vulnerability to the basal materials sector. Its largest positions see Newmont Corp (NYSE:NEM) astatine 11.30%, Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd (NYSE:AEM) astatine 11.12%, and Barrick Mining Corp (NYSE:B) astatine 8.15%. This money was launched successful 2006 and has a trailing-12-month dividend of $0.63 per share.

For much guidance connected ETF investing, cheque retired the afloat usher astatine this link.