SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) Remains the Top Choice for Gold Exposure in 2026

Key Points

• Gold ETFs can hedge against inflation.

• Physical‑backed ETFs tend to be less volatile than derivative‑based ones.

• SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) is the author’s preferred gold exposure vehicle.

I hold SPDR Gold Shares (NYSEMKT: GLD) and consider it the best gold exchange‑traded fund for most investors. According to its latest filing, the fund owned 32,314,227 ounces of gold bullion, valued at roughly $130.1 billion as of June 30, making it the largest gold‑backed ETF.

Here’s why I own it and why I may add more soon.

Image source: Getty Images.

One of the most widely available funds of its kind

Central banks purchased a record 289 metric tons of gold in the second quarter of 2026, according to the World Gold Council.

Institutional buyers often accumulate gold even during price dips, reinforcing bullion’s reputation as a trusted long‑term inflation hedge. When an asset is widely regarded as valuable over time, investors feel confident that their holdings will retain purchasing power.

As the largest gold ETF, SPDR Gold Shares serves as a benchmark for the sector. Its size and performance are frequently cited in discussions about gold demand and market dynamics. The fund is globally accessible, available through most brokerages and many retirement accounts.

Its shares trade on the NYSE Arca in the U.S. and are listed in Hong Kong, Mexico, Singapore, and Tokyo. By contrast, its sibling fund, SPDR Gold MiniShares, is listed in only two markets—a limitation seen in many other gold ETFs.

Transparency is another advantage. The ETF publishes daily a full list of serial numbers for the gold bars it holds, and third‑party auditors verify the holdings twice yearly.

What about the expense ratio?

The main drawback of SPDR Gold Shares is its higher management fee. The expense ratio sits at 0.4 %, above that of other large physical‑gold ETFs—such as SPDR Gold MiniShares, which charges 0.1 %.

Even so, a 0.4 % annual cost amounts to about $40 per $10,000 invested, a modest price for a long‑term position. Compared with the costs of buying and storing physical gold, the fee is attractive. For example, USAGOLD reported in March 2026 that the premium on a one‑ounce American Gold Eagle coin was near 5 %.

In periods of elevated inflation, gold remains a portfolio segment I believe warrants a solid allocation. I currently hold roughly 4 % of my portfolio in SPDR Gold Shares. If the price drops materially, I plan to increase my stake—but not to an excessive degree, as I do not expect the fund to outperform broad equity index funds dramatically over the long run.

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