SGOL ETF — abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF

abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF (SGOL)

SGOL is a low-cost ETF. its expense ratio is 0.17%. Total return is 320.7% over the past 17 years, 575.7 points behind SPY at 896.4%.

abrdn Physical Gold Shares is an ETF that provides a simple, cost-effective way to gain exposure to gold through the securities market, eliminating the need for direct ownership arrangements involving assay, transportation, warehousing, and insurance. The fund does not distribute income to shareholders and has a low expense ratio of 0.17%. It appeals to investors seeking commodity exposure or portfolio diversification through precious metals rather than those focused on generating dividend income.

SGOL performance versus SPY

Price and return data through 2026-09-18.

Total return is 320.7% over the past 17 years, 575.7 points behind SPY at 896.4%. Over the past year its total return — price change plus distributions reinvested — is 19.8%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 26.3%.

SGOL key facts

Issuer

Aberdeen

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Commodity

Inception date

09/09/2009

Expense ratio

0.17%

Distribution frequency

None

Last close

$41.64 (as of 2026-09-18)

NAV

$41.20

Premium / discount

1.07% premium

AUM

$7,399,367,702

Average volume

1911900.0

Beta

0.44

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (the posted rate) 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. 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.

Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology

Sources and review

Primary sources: Aberdeen; 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.

SGOL risks and drawbacks

Total return has trailed SPY over the available window. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 26.3%.

Who may consider SGOL — and who may not

SGOL may suit someone looking for low-cost broad dividend exposure. It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (SGOL 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.

Frequently asked questions

More securities from Aberdeen.