ETF Comparison
GLD vs IAU: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?
A head-to-head comparison of SPDR Gold Shares and iShares Gold Trust covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.
Data updated April 5, 2026
Side-by-side snapshot
| GLD | IAU | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | SPDR Gold Shares | iShares Gold Trust |
| Issuer | State Street | BlackRock |
| Price | $437.82 | $89.68 |
| Distribution yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Expense ratio | 0.40% | 0.25% |
| AUM | $184.9B | $83.8B |
| Distribution frequency | None | None |
| Underlying index | Gold bullion spot price | Gold bullion spot price |
| Objective | Reflect the performance of the price of gold bullion less trust expenses. | Provide exposure to the fund's underlying index or strategy per issuer materials. |
| Asset class | Commodity | Commodities |
| Inception date | 11/18/2004 | 01/21/2005 |
| Beta | 0.67 | 0.67 |
| Last dividend | — | — |
| Ex-dividend date | — | — |
Visual comparison
Key metrics
Projected income on $10K
Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Quick verdict
GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both popular none-pay reflect the performance of the price of gold bullion less trust expenses. ETFs, but they take different approaches.
IAU is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.25% compared to 0.40%.
GLD is the larger fund by assets ($184.9B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.
Deep dive
Yield & income
On a $10,000 investment, GLD would generate roughly $0.00/month while IAU would produce $0.00/month at current distribution rates. Both pay none distributions.
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, GLD would cost approximately $400 in fees vs $250 for IAU (simplified, not compounded). The $150.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.
Strategy & risk
GLD tracks Gold bullion spot price with a reflect the performance of the price of gold bullion less trust expenses. approach, while IAU tracks Gold bullion spot price using a provide exposure to the fund's underlying index or strategy per issuer materials. strategy. Beta is 0.67 for GLD and 0.67 for IAU, indicating IAU is less volatile relative to the market.
Fund details
GLD is managed by State Street (launched 11/18/2004) with $184.9B in assets. IAU is managed by BlackRock (launched 01/21/2005) with $83.8B in assets.
Income calculator
See how much monthly income a hypothetical investment would generate in each ETF at current yields.
Frequently asked questions
Is GLD or IAU better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. GLD currently offers the higher distribution yield, which means more income per dollar invested. However, a lower-yield fund may offer better total return or lower volatility. Consider your time horizon and risk tolerance.
What is the difference between GLD and IAU?
GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) tracks Gold bullion spot price with a reflect the performance of the price of gold bullion less trust expenses. strategy, while IAU (iShares Gold Trust) tracks Gold bullion spot price with a provide exposure to the fund's underlying index or strategy per issuer materials. approach. They are issued by State Street and BlackRock respectively.
Can I hold both GLD and IAU?
Yes. Many income investors hold both to diversify across different strategies and underlying indexes. This can reduce concentration risk while maintaining a strong income stream.
Which has lower fees, GLD or IAU?
GLD has an expense ratio of 0.40% while IAU charges 0.25%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.
How much income does $10,000 in GLD vs IAU generate?
At current yields, $10,000 in GLD would generate roughly $0.00 per month ($0.00 annually). The same in IAU would produce about $0.00 per month ($0.00 annually).
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