GLDN vs QAU - Compare ETFs side by side

At a glance

Comparing GLDN and QAU. GLDN has the lower management fee at 0.18% a year, QAU has the higher 1 year return at 8.7% a year, and QAU offers the higher at 5.29%.

Lower fee

GLDN 0.18% p.a.

Higher 1 year return

QAU 8.7% p.a.

Higher yield

QAU 5.29%

Larger fund

QAU $1.2bn

Side-by-side comparison

Metric	GLDN iShares Physical Gold ETF	QAU BetaShares Gold Bullion ETF (Currency Hedged)
Snapshot
Provider	iShares	BetaShares
Tracks index	LBMA Gold Price	—
Categories	Commodities	Commodities
Listed since	—	—
Fund size (AUM)	$459m	$1.2bn
Cost & income
Management fee	0.18%	0.59%
Dividend yield	0%	5.29%
Franking	0%	0%
Turnover	—	—
Tax drag	0%	1.69%
Returns	Tax bracket - adjusts tax drag & net returns
1-year return	3.8% net	8.7% net
3-year return	—	28.6% net
5-year return	—	16.9% net
10-year return	—	10.1% net
Risk
Volatility (3y)	—	19.5%
Volatility (5y)	—	17.5%
Volatility (10y)	—	15.7%
Sharpe ratio (3y)	—	1.18
Sharpe ratio (5y)	—	0.79
Sharpe ratio (10y)	—	0.55
Bid/ask spread	—	—

marks the strongest fund in each row. “net” shows the after-tax return at your selected bracket. “—” means we don’t have that data point yet.

Each fund at a glance

GLDN iShares Physical Gold ETF

Low-cost: a 0.18% management fee keeps more of the return in your pocket.

Cheaper alternatives exist: NUGG, PMGOLD, and GXLD.

Full GLDN analysis →

QAU BetaShares Gold Bullion ETF (Currency Hedged)

Top-5% returns over 3 years (12th of 236 ETFs we track).
Pays a useful 5.29% income yield.

Pricier than similar ETFs, which average around 0.49%.

Full QAU analysis →

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between GLDN vs QAU?

GLDN and QAU are 2 Australian-listed ETFs we compare side by side. GLDN carries the lower management fee (0.18%). Over 1 year, QAU has delivered the higher total return (8.7% a year). The table above breaks down fees, returns, income and risk for each.

Which has the lower fees - GLDN vs QAU?

GLDN has the lower management fee at 0.18% a year, versus QAU 0.59%.

Which has performed higher - GLDN vs QAU?

Over the past 1 year, QAU has delivered the higher total return at 8.7% a year. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.

Which pays the higher dividend yield?

QAU pays the higher at 5.29%. Remember distributions are taxed each year at your marginal rate.

Which is the larger and most liquid?

QAU is the larger fund by assets ($1.2bn). Larger funds are typically more liquid and trade on tighter spreads.

Related comparisons

GLDN vs GOLD GLDN vs PMGOLD GLDN vs GXLD GLDN vs NUGG QAU vs GOLD QAU vs PMGOLD QAU vs GXLD QAU vs NUGG

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General information only, generated from each fund's published data — not personal financial advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns. Consider your own circumstances or seek licensed advice before investing.