AAAU ETF — Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF

Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF (AAAU)

Updated October 16, 2026.

AAAU is a low-cost ETF. its expense ratio is 0.18%. Total return is 249.8% over the past 8.2 years, 43.1 points ahead of SPY at 206.7%.

Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF is an ETF that holds physical gold bullion in the form of London Bars and other non-numismatic gold, allowing investors to gain exposure to the commodity through shares that can be created or redeemed with authorized participants. The fund does not distribute income and carries an expense ratio of 0.18%. It appeals to investors seeking direct commodity exposure to gold as an alternative asset or potential portfolio hedge.

AAAU performance versus SPY

Price and return data through 2026-10-16.

Total return is 249.8% over the past 8.2 years, 43.1 points ahead of SPY at 206.7%. Over the past year its total return — price change plus distributions reinvested — is -3.4%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 26.3%.

AAAU key facts

Issuer

Goldman Sachs

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Commodity

Inception date

07/24/2018

Expense ratio

0.18%

Distribution frequency

None

Last close

$41.07 (as of 2026-10-16)

AUM

$2,669,753,641

Average volume

662500.0

Beta

0.44

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (the posted rate) uses calculation basis unavailable. Issuer rates can use a different denominator and date, including ex-date NAV. Trailing-12-month yield is the sum of split-adjusted cash distributions with ex-dates in the last 12 months, divided by the published price. It lags a recent raise or cut. Total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date) from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is the security's total return, not your personal gain/loss.

Yield and safety methodology · Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology

Sources and review

Primary sources: Goldman Sachs; prices and distributions from Dividend Vision, derived from vendor EOD data.

Reviewed by Bert Sweet, CEO and Co-owner of Dividend Vision. Methodology: Distribution Safety Score.

AAAU risks and drawbacks

The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 26.3%.

Who may consider AAAU — and who may not

AAAU may suit someone looking for low-cost broad dividend exposure. It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (AAAU does not currently distribute). This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.

More on AAAU

• All tickers starting with A

Tagged: Gold, Metals.

Frequently asked questions

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