GLD is a gold-bullion trust whose shares reflect gold exposure after expenses. KGLD actively manages gold-linked exposure with an option-income strategy. Gold itself pays no dividend; KGLD's payments come from its fund strategy and can include return of capital.
Data updated September 4, 2026
Best for
GLDInvestors who want physical-gold price exposure without an income overlay.
KGLDInvestors who want gold-linked option income and accept derivative and distribution risks.
Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Total returns
GLD has lagged KGLD over the trailing twelve months, posting a 23.96% total return against 24.13%. Measured from Jul 2025 — when the younger fund began trading — GLD has compounded at 28.53% a year versus 27.41% for KGLD. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.
Total return and risk statistics by fund. Each row is one fund; each column is one period or statistic.
Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of September 4, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; windows of one year or longer are annualized. “Since Jul 2025” measures every fund from July 8, 2025 — the youngest fund's first trading day — so all funds share one comparison window. Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily total returns over the past year. Sharpe and Sortino divide the annualized return in excess of the risk-free rate by, respectively, that volatility and the downside deviation (both over the past year) — higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window — shallower is better.
Side-by-side snapshot
Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric;
each column is one fund.
Reflect the performance of the price of gold bullion less trust expenses.
Kurv Gold Enhanced Income ETF seeks to maximize total return by actively managing a portfolio with efficient exposure to gold while, at the same time, generating potentially tax-efficient income.
Bottom lineChoose GLD if you want physical-gold price exposure without an income overlay. Choose KGLD if you want gold-linked option income and accept derivative and distribution risks. Compare net total returns over matching dates, distribution sources, and current holdings. A distribution rate is not a return forecast, and tax return of capital alone does not establish economic loss. Payments and prices can fall.
Physical gold ownership versus actively managed gold income
GLD is a gold-bullion trust whose shares reflect gold exposure after expenses. KGLD actively manages gold-linked exposure with an option-income strategy. Gold itself pays no dividend; KGLD's payments come from its fund strategy and can include return of capital.
GLD
KGLD
Approach
Physical gold held in a trust
Active gold exposure and option income
Risk review
Gold-price losses, expenses, and trust tax treatment
Gold-price losses, derivatives, upside limitations, and variable payouts
Expense ratio
0.40%
1.00%
Portfolio fit
Review combined holdings and weights
Review combined holdings and weights
How the risk works
Read this before the income numbers below: the strategy mechanics on this page shape what those payouts can cost you.
Capped upside and premium dependence. KGLD generates income by selling options, which trades away part of a strong rally in exchange for premium. Distributions can include return of capital, and a payout the underlying assets cannot sustain shows up as NAV erosion over time — the big yield number is not free.
ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.
State Street Global Advisors (SSGA) is one of the largest ETF providers globally, known for its flagship SPDR suite of exchange-traded products that serve both institutional and retail investors across a broad range of asset classes. Their 88-fund lineup spans diverse strategies including sector exposure (Select Sector SPDR), income generation (Income and Select Sector SPDR Premium Income families), commodities (including the widely-held GLD gold ETF), bonds, ESG-focused investments, and thematic allocations, with popular tickers like DIA (Diamonds Trust), FEZ (Eurozone exposure), and JNK (high-yield bonds) among their most recognized funds. The issuer is characterized by its comprehensive coverage across multiple market segments and its emphasis on both traditional index-based products and specialized strategies like covered call income funds and factor-based investing.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on GLD.
ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.
Kurv is known for developing actively managed, single-stock and thematic covered call ETFs that generate income through options strategies. The issuer's lineup spans fixed income, growth and income, precious metals strategies, and thematic investing approaches, with a notable focus on single-stock income products tied to mega-cap technology and consumer companies. Kurv's breadth includes both traditional covered call strategies and more specialized offerings in metals and sector-specific themes, appealing to investors seeking equity income across various market segments.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on KGLD.
GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) and KGLD (Kurv Gold Enhanced Income ETF) are both ETFs, but they take different approaches.
KGLD currently shows a 15.06% distribution yield. GLD has not yet established a full distribution history, so a comparable yield figure is not available.
GLD is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.40% compared to 1.00%.
They have different reference exposures: GLD is linked to Gold bullion spot price while KGLD is linked to Gold, which means their performance drivers differ.
GLD is the larger fund by assets ($149B), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.
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On a $10,000 investment, GLD has no reported distribution yield yet, so a monthly income estimate is not available, while KGLD would produce $125.50/month, at current distribution rates.
GLD yield—
KGLD yield15.06%
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, GLD would cost approximately $400 in fees vs $1,000 for KGLD (simplified, not compounded). The $600.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.
GLD ER0.40%
KGLD ER1.00%
Strategy & risk
GLD is a gold-bullion trust whose shares reflect gold exposure after expenses. KGLD actively manages gold-linked exposure with an option-income strategy. Gold itself pays no dividend; KGLD's payments come from its fund strategy and can include return of capital. Beta describes historical benchmark sensitivity, not guaranteed downside protection.
GLD beta0.45
KGLD beta—
Fund details
GLD is managed by State Street (launched 11/18/2004) with $149B in assets. KGLD is managed by Kurv (launched 07/08/2025) with $157M in assets.
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Frequently asked questions
Does GLD receive the 60/40 tax treatment of gold futures?
No. For U.S. federal tax purposes, GLD shareholders generally own a proportionate interest in the trust's gold. Individuals' long-term gains generally face collectibles rules, with a maximum 28% rate, rather than Section 1256 futures treatment. KGLD has a different structure; use its final tax reporting instead of inferring tax character from its payout rate.
How should I compare risk and ownership costs?
Use matching dates and definitions for returns, distributions, and fees. Beta describes historical benchmark sensitivity, not guaranteed downside protection. Check current bid-ask spreads and premiums or discounts; AUM alone does not determine the price available for your order.
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