Gold ETF vs Gold Mutual Fund
Key Highlights
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Gold ETFs invest in gold bullion or futures. They track the physical gold prices. Gold mutual funds are open-ended funds that invest directly or indirectly in gold assets.
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Gold mutual funds allow SIPs for as low as Rs. 500, while ETFs require a minimum investment of one unit, equivalent to one gram of gold.
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ETFs have annual charges of 0.5–1%. This includes brokerage, expense ratio, etc. Conversely, charges for gold funds range between 0.6–1.2%. It includes ETF fees and exit loads for redemptions within a year.
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Gold ETFs are less liquid due to a smaller market size. However, gold mutual funds are relatively more liquidity. So they can be easily purchased and sold.
What is a Gold ETF?
Gold ETF is an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that tracks the price of physical gold. They are passively managed funds that usually invest in gold bullion or futures. They are exchanged in real-time on exchanges. Gold ETFs purchase 99.5% pure gold from banks approved by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). A single unit of gold ETF is equivalent to one gram of gold. There are no extra costs associated with the gold pricing.
The manager purchases gold and deposits it with the custodian of the mutual fund. Both the price and return of gold ETFs are identical to physical gold. Additionally, purchasing a gold ETF has lower costs. Moreover, it is easier to invest in gold ETFs physical gold. It may be a good option for individuals purchasing gold as an investment instead of personal use.
What is a Gold Mutual Fund?
Gold mutual funds are open-ended mutual funds that directly or indirectly invest in gold assets. The performance of the physical gold determines a gold fund's returns and net asset value (NAV). One unit does not equal one gram of gold here. Gold funds may also invest in gold ETFs or other securities.
Gold mining and gold funds of funds (FoF) are two examples of gold mutual funds. Gold FoFs invest in gold ETF units. So, you don’t need a Demat account to invest in them. The success of gold mining firms determines the returns on gold mining funds investments.
Difference between Gold ETF and Gold Mutual Fund
Let’s look at the difference between gold ETFs and gold mutual funds based on parameters.
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Investment method: You may invest in gold funds through SIP for even Rs. 500. It would give you units of the gold fund based on the existing NAV. Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) require you to purchase at least 1 unit. One unit of gold ETFs is equal to one gram of gold. Therefore, you will get 1 gram of gold when you purchase 1 unit of gold ETF. So, the minimum investment amount of ETFs is higher than gold mutual funds.
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Mode of holding: You can purchase and sell gold ETFs through a broker and a demat account. This is because they are traded on the stock exchange like equities. The ETFs are credited or debited from your demat account at the time of purchase. However, investing in a gold fund doesn’t have such an obligation.
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Systematic investment plan (SIP): You can invest in a gold mutual fund through SIP or lumpsum. The net asset value on the specific day is used for the transaction.
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Transaction costs: The yearly cost of gold ETFs is around 0.5–1%. The key expenses are the brokerage, expense ratio, and other charges. The annual closure price of gold mutual funds is between 0.6 and 1.2%. It includes the 0.1-0.2% management fee and the ETF fees. With gold ETFs, there are no exit costs. However, if you redeem a gold fund within a year, you may have to pay an exit load of 1-2%.
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Liquidity: ETFs are traded on stock exchanges. So, there must be enough buyers to sell your holdings. The ETF market is relatively small in India. So, gold ETFs are less liquid. However, gold mutual funds are relatively more liquid as they can be purchased and sold quickly.
Here's a quick look at the key differences between gold ETF and gold mutual funds.
Feature
Investment method
Gold ETF
Minimum 1 unit purchase (1 gram of gold)
Gold Mutual Fund
SIP or lump sum, starting from Rs. 500
Feature
Mode of holding
Gold ETF
Demat account required, traded on stock exchange
Gold Mutual Fund
No Demat account needed, units held in fund house
Feature
Systematic Investment Plan (SIP)
Gold ETF
Available
Gold Mutual Fund
Available
Feature
Transaction costs
Gold ETF
0.5-1% yearly (brokerage, expense ratio, demat fees)
Gold Mutual Fund
0.6-1.2% yearly (management fee, ETF fees)
Feature
Exit load
Gold ETF
None
Gold Mutual Fund
1-2% within 1 year
Feature
Liquidity
Gold ETF
Less liquid, smaller market in India
Gold Mutual Fund
More liquid, easier to buy and sell
Feature
Transparency
Gold ETF
Real-time pricing, immediate settlement
Gold Mutual Fund
NAV based, price may differ from market value
Feature
Management
Gold ETF
Passive, tracks gold price
Gold Mutual Fund
Active, managed by fund manager
Feature
Control
Gold ETF
Direct control over holdings
Gold Mutual Fund
Indirect control through fund manager
| Feature | Gold ETF | Gold Mutual Fund |
|---|---|---|
| Investment method | Minimum 1 unit purchase (1 gram of gold) | SIP or lump sum, starting from Rs. 500 |
| Mode of holding | Demat account required, traded on stock exchange | No Demat account needed, units held in fund house |
| Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) | Available | Available |
| Transaction costs | 0.5-1% yearly (brokerage, expense ratio, demat fees) | 0.6-1.2% yearly (management fee, ETF fees) |
| Exit load | None | 1-2% within 1 year |
| Liquidity | Less liquid, smaller market in India | More liquid, easier to buy and sell |
| Transparency | Real-time pricing, immediate settlement | NAV based, price may differ from market value |
| Management | Passive, tracks gold price | Active, managed by fund manager |
| Control | Direct control over holdings | Indirect control through fund manager |
Conclusion
Gold ETFs generally invest in gold bullion and futures. Contrarily, gold mutual funds invest in stocks in the gold industry. Gold ETFs allow you to invest in gold without paying extra fees like exit loads and expense ratios. On the other hand, gold funds allow you to invest through SIPs for even Rs.500 per month. Investors can invest in gold funds if they want to make regular investments for a long period of time. However, gold ETFs are a good choice if you plan to convert the holdings into physical gold.
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FAQs on Gold ETF vs Gold Mutual Fund
Do fund managers manage the gold ETFs?
Yes, the gold ETFs are managed by fund managers of asset management companies (AMC).
Is investing in gold ETFs and stocks the same?
Gold ETFs may be traded on stock markets. So, their trading process is similar to stocks. Additionally, the values of gold ETFs are influenced by market conditions, just like stocks.
Are mutual funds better than ETFs?
ETFs are more convenient and offer considerable returns. This is because of their low cost and real-time trading flexibility. Mutual funds provide higher returns. However, they can be expensive due to their expense ratio and other costs.
Are there any advantages of investing in Gold ETFs?
You can safely store Gold ETFs in a demat account. You may thus hang onto your ETFs for as long as you like. In addition, they are not subject to wealth tax.
What factors should investors keep in mind while buying gold mutual funds?
While purchasing gold ETFs, investors should think about liquidity and a fund's expense ratio.
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