GLD ETF — SPDR Gold Shares

SPDR Gold Shares (GLD)

GLD is an ETF that tracks the Gold bullion spot price. As of August 19, 2026, its distribution rate is 0.00%, its expense ratio is 0.40%. Fund total return is 798.0% over the past 21.7 years, 64.4 points behind SPY at 862.4%.

SPDR Gold Shares is an ETF that holds physical gold bars and aims to track the spot price of gold bullion, less trust expenses. The fund does not distribute income and has an expense ratio of 0.40%. It appeals to investors seeking direct exposure to gold as a commodity or portfolio diversification rather than income generation.

GLD performance versus SPY

Data as of August 19, 2026.

Fund total return is 798.0% over the past 21.7 years, 64.4 points behind SPY at 862.4%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 26.4%.

GLD key facts

Data as of August 19, 2026.

Issuer

State Street

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Commodity

Inception date

11/18/2004

Expense ratio

0.40%

Distribution rate

0.00%

Distribution frequency

None

Last close

$398.55

AUM

$144,465,452,932

Market cap

$111,900,368,896

Average volume

9169700.0

Beta

0.36

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (0.00%) is the latest regular payout annualized by the fund's stated frequency, divided by the last close. Issuers often publish this as “Distribution Rate” on the fact sheet. Trailing-12-month yield is the sum of distributions paid in the last 12 months, split-adjusted, divided by the last close. It lags a recent raise or cut. We show a 30-day SEC yield when the fund publishes one. Schwab and other issuers may report a TTM distribution yield or SEC yield on a different date — all can be valid; they are not interchangeable. Fund total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is what the fund did, not your personal gain/loss. Figures below use Dividend Vision data as of August 19, 2026.

Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology · SEC yield

Sources and review

Data as of August 19, 2026.

Primary sources: State Street fund page; Index: Gold bullion spot price; 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.

GLD risks and drawbacks

Total return has trailed SPY over the available window. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 26.4%.

Who may consider GLD — and who may not

It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (GLD does not currently distribute); investors hunting double-digit covered-call yields; investors whose main goal is matching SPY total return. This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.

Compare GLD

GLD vs similar funds:

• GLD vs SPY
• GLD vs IAU
• GLD vs SLV
• GLD vs GLDM
• GLD vs GDX
• GLD vs IAUM

Frequently asked questions

More funds from State Street.