GXLD vs GOLD vs PMGOLD vs QAU - Compare ETFs side by side

At a glance

Comparing GXLD, GOLD, PMGOLD, and QAU. GXLD has the lowest management fee at 0.15% a year, PMGOLD has the highest 10 years return at 13.1% a year, and QAU offers the highest at 5.29%.

Lowest fee

GXLD 0.15% p.a.

Highest 10 years return

PMGOLD 13.1% p.a.

Highest yield

QAU 5.29%

Highest risk-adjusted

PMGOLD Sharpe 0.75 (10y)

Lowest volatility

PMGOLD 14.9% (10y)

Largest fund

PMGOLD $2.2bn

Side-by-side comparison

Metric	GXLD Global X Gold Bullion ETF	GOLD Global X Physical Gold	PMGOLD Perth Mint Gold	QAU BetaShares Gold Bullion ETF (Currency Hedged)
Snapshot
Provider	Global X	Global X	—	BetaShares
Tracks index	LBMA Gold Price	LBMA Gold Price	LBMA Gold Price	—
Categories	Commodities	Commodities	Commodities	Commodities
Listed since	—	2003 (23 yrs)	2003 (23 yrs)	—
Fund size (AUM)	$768m	—	$2.2bn	$1.2bn
Cost & income
Management fee	0.15%	0.4%	0.15%	0.59%
Dividend yield	0%	—	0%	5.29%
Franking	0%	0%	0%	0%
Turnover	—	0%	0%	—
Tax drag	0%	0%	0%	1.69%
Returns	Tax bracket - adjusts tax drag & net returns
1-year return	3.9% net	—	1.9% net	8.7% net
3-year return	—	—	27.3% net	28.6% net
5-year return	—	—	19.9% net	16.9% net
10-year return	—	—	13.1% net	10.1% net
Risk
Volatility (3y)	—	—	18.2%	19.5%
Volatility (5y)	—	—	16%	17.5%
Volatility (10y)	—	—	14.9%	15.7%
Sharpe ratio (3y)	—	—	1.2	1.18
Sharpe ratio (5y)	—	—	1.01	0.79
Sharpe ratio (10y)	—	—	0.75	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

GXLD Global X Gold Bullion ETF

Low-cost: a 0.15% management fee keeps more of the return in your pocket.

Cheaper alternatives exist: NUGG.

Full GXLD analysis →

GOLD Global X Physical Gold

Low-cost: a 0.4% management fee keeps more of the return in your pocket.

Cheaper alternatives exist: PMGOLD.

Full GOLD analysis →

PMGOLD Perth Mint Gold

Top-3% returns over 5 years (6th of 189 ETFs we track).
Low-cost: a 0.15% management fee keeps more of the return in your pocket.

Full PMGOLD 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 GXLD vs GOLD vs PMGOLD vs QAU?

GXLD, GOLD, PMGOLD, and QAU are 4 Australian-listed ETFs we compare side by side. GXLD carries the lowest management fee (0.15%). Over 10 years, PMGOLD has delivered the highest total return (13.1% a year). The table above breaks down fees, returns, income and risk for each.

Which has the lowest fees - GXLD vs GOLD vs PMGOLD vs QAU?

GXLD has the lowest management fee at 0.15% a year, versus GOLD 0.4%, PMGOLD 0.15%, and QAU 0.59%.

Which has performed highest - GXLD vs GOLD vs PMGOLD vs QAU?

Over the past 10 years, PMGOLD has delivered the highest total return at 13.1% a year. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.

Which pays the highest dividend yield?

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

Which is the largest and most liquid?

PMGOLD is the largest fund by assets ($2.2bn). Larger funds are typically more liquid and trade on tighter spreads.

Related comparisons

GXLD vs NUGG GXLD vs GHLD GXLD vs GLDN GOLD vs ETPMAG GOLD vs GDX GOLD vs MNRS GOLD vs BCOM GOLD vs ETPMPD

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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.