Gyroscopic Investing

https://www.morningstar.com/funds/diggi ... -with-etfs

Digging for Gold With ETFs
A framework for choosing the right gold ETF for you.


I am going to be a long, long, long-term Gold ETF holder. Don't anticipate rebalancing. Just buying and holding.


Would you agree that two top choices therefore would be?

IAUM

GLDM

Both large enough with low fees?

Not looking here for a discussion of buying Gold ETFs versus buying it in physical form.

Just opinion on those being the two top choices in ETF form.

Do you own any presently?

i find with the larger positions i trade gld actually ends up cheaper because the spreads are smaller than the ones that appear to have lower expenses.

it isn’t about just expenses . you need to look at the spreads too when buying or selling

mathjak107 wrote: ↑Tue Aug 26, 2025 7:56 am i find with the larger positions i trade gld actually ends up cheaper because the spreads are smaller than the ones that appear to have lower expenses.

it isn’t about just expenses . you need to look at the spreads too when buying or selling

For frequent trading, definitely true. However Vinny says he's going to be holding a long time, so the expense ratio becomes paramount.

well the spread never becomes meaningless because of rebalancing

dualstow wrote: ↑Tue Aug 26, 2025 7:50 am Do you own any presently?

No. All I own is about $18,000 of coins purchased in 1995.

Xan wrote: ↑Tue Aug 26, 2025 8:01 am

mathjak107 wrote: ↑Tue Aug 26, 2025 7:56 am i find with the larger positions i trade gld actually ends up cheaper because the spreads are smaller than the ones that appear to have lower expenses.

it isn’t about just expenses . you need to look at the spreads too when buying or selling

For frequent trading, definitely true. However Vinny says he's going to be holding a long time, so the expense ratio becomes paramount.

Yes!

mathjak107 wrote: ↑Tue Aug 26, 2025 8:02 am well the spread never becomes meaningless because of rebalancing

Had also stated this: "Don't anticipate rebalancing. Just buying and holding."

The IAUM spread is .03% and its expense ratio is .09%. GLD's spread is .01% and its expense ratio is .40%.

Let's say you own it for a year. With IAUM you've saved 31 basis points in expense ratio. You'd have had to trade in and out 15 times in order to lose that much on the spread.

If you're really trading, the spread could be significant. If you're rebalancing, I would say it isn't.

Xan wrote: ↑Tue Aug 26, 2025 9:34 am The IAUM spread is .03% and its expense ratio is .09%. GLD's spread is .01% and its expense ratio is .40%.

Let's say you own it for a year. With IAUM you've saved 31 basis points in expense ratio. You'd have had to trade in and out 15 times in order to lose that much on the spread.

If you're really trading, the spread could be significant. If you're rebalancing, I would say it isn't.

And, if one is going to hold for an indeterminate term with no planned rebalancing .. would never recoup the expense ratio difference.

I'd go with IAUM or GLDM

I believe the IAUM custodian is JP Morgan and the GLDM custodian is HSBC. One is US based one is not. But at this rate who knows if you can trust either one of them. I could be off but I think this was the case last time I checked.