The best precious metals ETFs/ETCs

How to invest in precious metals using ETFs/ETCs

0.11% p.a. - 0.95% p.a.
annual total expense ratio (TER) of precious metals ETFs/ETCs
on precious metals, which are tracked by ETFs
on precious metals
 
The best indices for precious metals ETFs/ETCs

How can I invest in precious metals?

With ETFs you not only have the opportunity to invest in equity or bonds. You can also participate in the price development of commodities like precious metals. However, there are a few things you should know: commodity ETFs always track a whole basket of different commodities, covering at least some of the following segments:
 

Why there are no precious metals ETFs in most European countries

There are no precious metals ETFs that are domiciled within the European Union. This is due to the regulatory framework which is defined by the UCITS directive. According to these guidelines, an index (and thus also corresponding ETFs) must always provide a minimum degree of diversification and may not consist of only a few components. Consequently, regulations in the EU do not allow the launch of a precious metals ETF.

If you want to invest particularly in precious metals, you can do so via Exchange Traded Commodities (ETC). Please have a look at our article "What is an ETC?" for a detailed explanation of the similarities and differences between ETFs and ETCs.
 

Collateralisation of precious metals ETCs

Some precious metals ETCs indicate the spot price and are physically backed. This means that physical holdings of the respective precious metals are stored in the treasury of a trustee as collateral for the corresponding ETC. Other ETCs track the value of the precious metals based on futures contracts. These ETCs are also backed with collateral, which is usually checked on a daily basis. However, the collateral in such a case is not in the form of precious metal stocks, but in the form of cash investments or securities with top credit standing.

In this investment guide you will find all ETCs that allow you to invest in precious metals.
 

Bloomberg Precious Metals performance

1 month: 5.61%
1 year: 30.28%
3 years: 44.46%
5 years: 46.48%
 

Precious metals ETFs/ETCs in comparison

The most important factors at a glance

When choosing a precious metals ETF or ETC one should consider several other factors in addition to the methodology of the underlying index and performance of an ETF. For better comparison, you will find a list of all precious metals ETFs/ETCs with details on size, cost, age, income, domicile and replication method ranked by fund size.

Compare all precious metals ETFs/ETCs in detail
Compare all precious metals ETFs/ETCs in a chart

Provider
ISIN
  Fund size
in m GBP
TER
in %
Use of profits Fund domicile Replication method
Invesco Physical Gold AIE00B579F325 13,477 0.12% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Physically backed
iShares Physical Gold ETCIE00B4ND3602 12,974 0.12% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Physically backed
Xtrackers IE Physical Gold ETC SecuritiesDE000A2T0VU5 4,184 0.11% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Physically backed
WisdomTree Physical GoldJE00B1VS3770 3,764 0.39% p.a. Accumulating Jersey Physically backed
Amundi Physical Gold ETC (C)FR0013416716 3,733 0.12% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Physically backed
Gold Bullion SecuritiesGB00B00FHZ82 2,374 0.40% p.a. Accumulating Jersey Physically backed
WisdomTree Physical Swiss GoldJE00B588CD74 2,307 0.15% p.a. Accumulating Jersey Physically backed
WisdomTree Physical Gold - GBP Daily HedgedJE00B7VG2M16 1,265 0.25% p.a. Accumulating Jersey Physically backed
WisdomTree Physical SilverJE00B1VS3333 1,261 0.49% p.a. Accumulating Jersey Physically backed
Xtrackers Physical Gold ETC (EUR)DE000A1E0HR8 1,089 0.25% p.a. Accumulating Jersey Physically backed
Xtrackers Physical Gold EUR Hedged ETCDE000A1EK0G3 1,074 0.59% p.a. Accumulating Jersey Physically backed
WisdomTree Core Physical GoldJE00BN2CJ301 779 0.12% p.a. Accumulating Jersey Physically backed
HANetf The Royal Mint Responsibly Sourced Physical Gold ETCXS2115336336 737 0.22% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Physically backed
iShares Physical Silver ETCIE00B4NCWG09 656 0.20% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Physically backed
WisdomTree Physical PlatinumJE00B1VS2W53 402 0.49% p.a. Accumulating Jersey Physically backed
Xtrackers Physical Gold ETCGB00B5840F36 306 0.25% p.a. Accumulating Jersey Physically backed
Xtrackers IE Physical Gold GBP Hedged ETC SecuritiesDE000A2UDH48 236 0.28% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Physically backed
Invesco Physical SilverIE00B43VDT70 198 0.19% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Physically backed
Xtrackers Physical Silver ETC (EUR)DE000A1E0HS6 198 0.40% p.a. Accumulating Jersey Physically backed
WisdomTree Physical Precious MetalsJE00B1VS3W29 128 0.44% p.a. Accumulating Jersey Physically backed
Xtrackers Physical Silver EUR Hedged ETCDE000A1EK0J7 121 0.75% p.a. Accumulating Jersey Physically backed
iShares Physical Platinum ETCIE00B4LHWP62 109 0.20% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Physically backed
Xtrackers IE Physical Silver ETC SecuritiesDE000A2T0VS9 101 0.20% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Physically backed
WisdomTree Physical PalladiumJE00B1VS3002 82 0.49% p.a. Accumulating Jersey Physically backed
WisdomTree Precious MetalsGB00B15KYF40 65 0.49% p.a. Accumulating Jersey Swap-based
WisdomTree GoldGB00B15KXX56 59 0.49% p.a. Accumulating Jersey Swap-based
Invesco Physical Gold GBP Hedged ETCXS2183935605 52 0.34% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Physically backed
WisdomTree SilverGB00B15KY328 45 0.49% p.a. Accumulating Jersey Swap-based
Xtrackers Physical Rhodium ETCGB00B684MW17 43 0.95% p.a. Accumulating Jersey Physically backed
Xtrackers Physical Gold GBP Hedged ETCGB00B68FL050 31 0.69% p.a. Accumulating Jersey Physically backed
iShares Physical Gold GBP Hedged ETCIE000Q2P3ZQ3 20 0.25% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Physically backed
iShares Physical Palladium ETCIE00B4556L06 19 0.20% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Physically backed
Invesco Physical PlatinumIE00B40QP990 13 0.19% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Physically backed
Xtrackers IE Physical Platinum ETC SecuritiesDE000A2T0VT7 12 0.38% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Physically backed
WisdomTree Core Physical SilverJE00BQRFDY49 11 0.19% p.a. Accumulating Jersey Physically backed
Invesco Physical PalladiumIE00B4LJS984 10 0.19% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Physically backed

Source: justETF.com; As of 10/10/2024

 

Return comparison of all precious metals ETFs/ETCs

The table shows the returns of all precious metals ETFs/ETCs in comparison. All return figures are including dividends as of month end. Besides the return the reference date on which you conduct the comparison is important. In order to find the best ETFs, you can also perform a chart comparison.

ETF   1 month
in %
3 months
in %
6 months
in %
1 year
in %
3 years
in %
iShares Physical Gold GBP Hedged ETC 4.55% 12.56% 18.01% 39.43% -
Invesco Physical Gold GBP Hedged ETC 4.56% 12.49% 17.86% 39.00% 43.95%
WisdomTree Physical Gold - GBP Daily Hedged 4.52% 12.44% 17.88% 39.00% 44.44%
Xtrackers IE Physical Gold GBP Hedged ETC Securities 4.56% 12.50% 17.89% 38.88% 43.91%
Xtrackers Physical Gold GBP Hedged ETC 4.55% 12.43% 17.80% 38.75% 44.21%
Xtrackers Physical Gold EUR Hedged ETC 3.71% 10.66% 14.42% 32.57% 35.27%
iShares Physical Gold ETC 2.91% 6.45% 11.61% 28.41% 50.97%
Xtrackers IE Physical Gold ETC Securities 2.93% 6.48% 11.67% 28.41% 50.97%
WisdomTree Core Physical Gold 2.90% 6.45% 13.19% 28.40% 50.97%
Amundi Physical Gold ETC (C) 2.89% 6.45% 11.65% 28.39% 50.96%
Invesco Physical Gold A 2.90% 6.45% 11.74% 28.39% 50.97%
WisdomTree Physical Swiss Gold 2.89% 6.44% 11.96% 28.36% 50.83%
Xtrackers Physical Gold ETC 2.89% 6.42% 11.67% 28.23% 50.36%
Xtrackers Physical Gold ETC (EUR) 2.89% 6.41% 11.54% 28.23% 29.86%
HANetf The Royal Mint Responsibly Sourced Physical Gold ETC 2.86% 6.41% 11.68% 28.20% 50.35%
WisdomTree Gold 3.81% 6.28% 10.96% 28.20% 42.33%
WisdomTree Physical Gold 2.88% 6.38% 11.24% 28.05% 49.75%
Gold Bullion Securities 2.87% 6.38% 12.17% 28.04% 49.70%
WisdomTree Precious Metals 4.44% 4.70% 12.55% 27.85% 40.85%
Xtrackers Physical Silver EUR Hedged ETC 4.44% 3.71% 20.63% 26.31% 26.70%
WisdomTree Silver 6.52% 0.10% 17.32% 26.07% 35.20%
Invesco Physical Silver 3.70% -0.18% 17.94% 22.91% 44.18%
Xtrackers IE Physical Silver ETC Securities 3.71% -0.18% 17.88% 22.89% 44.11%
iShares Physical Silver ETC 3.65% -0.23% 17.89% 22.86% 44.05%
Xtrackers Physical Silver ETC (EUR) 3.67% -0.25% 17.73% 22.63% 23.67%
WisdomTree Physical Silver 3.65% -0.28% 17.70% 22.51% 42.82%
WisdomTree Physical Precious Metals 3.80% 3.35% 9.95% 16.14% 18.10%
Xtrackers Physical Rhodium ETC 11.68% -0.06% 16.21% 12.01% -62.43%
Invesco Physical Platinum 3.04% -8.18% 1.83% -2.62% 2.11%
iShares Physical Platinum ETC 3.03% -8.20% 1.84% -2.68% 2.03%
Xtrackers IE Physical Platinum ETC Securities 3.02% -8.23% 1.75% -2.80% 1.52%
WisdomTree Physical Platinum 3.02% -8.25% 1.78% -2.91% 1.20%
Invesco Physical Palladium 0.14% -3.14% -7.14% -29.34% -47.53%
iShares Physical Palladium ETC 0.14% -3.18% -7.38% -29.36% -47.55%
WisdomTree Physical Palladium 0.12% -3.21% -7.14% -29.55% -48.00%
WisdomTree Core Physical Silver 3.67% - - - -
ETF   2024
in %
2023
in %
2022
in %
2021
in %
2020
in %
iShares Physical Gold GBP Hedged ETC 26.51% 11.82% - - -
Invesco Physical Gold GBP Hedged ETC 26.23% 11.47% -1.78% -5.15% -
WisdomTree Physical Gold - GBP Daily Hedged 26.16% 12.75% -1.23% -5.69% 21.88%
Xtrackers IE Physical Gold GBP Hedged ETC Securities 26.15% 11.49% -1.78% -5.12% -
Xtrackers Physical Gold GBP Hedged ETC 26.12% 11.88% -2.04% -4.95% 22.16%
Invesco Physical Silver 23.80% -6.23% 16.05% -11.84% 41.36%
iShares Physical Silver ETC 23.76% -6.24% 15.99% -11.80% 41.29%
Xtrackers IE Physical Silver ETC Securities 23.75% -6.21% 16.02% -11.33% -
Xtrackers Physical Silver ETC (EUR) 23.55% -12.25% 9.04% 0.27% 41.33%
WisdomTree Physical Silver 23.43% -6.51% 15.76% -12.09% 40.90%
Xtrackers Physical Silver EUR Hedged ETC 23.00% -6.18% 5.31% -19.82% 51.41%
WisdomTree Silver 22.86% -7.29% 13.18% -12.05% 36.26%
iShares Physical Gold ETC 20.88% 7.49% 11.47% -2.84% 20.17%
Amundi Physical Gold ETC (C) 20.87% 7.51% 11.47% -2.40% 19.93%
WisdomTree Core Physical Gold 20.86% 7.50% 11.47% -2.83% -
Xtrackers IE Physical Gold ETC Securities 20.86% 7.20% 12.97% -3.00% -
Xtrackers Physical Gold ETC (EUR) 20.76% 0.65% 4.84% 10.39% 19.86%
Invesco Physical Gold A 20.57% 7.50% 11.48% -2.84% 20.10%
WisdomTree Physical Swiss Gold 20.55% 7.46% 11.44% -2.85% 20.17%
HANetf The Royal Mint Responsibly Sourced Physical Gold ETC 20.48% 8.07% 12.37% -3.68% -
WisdomTree Precious Metals 20.45% 1.93% 10.48% -5.96% 20.21%
Xtrackers Physical Gold EUR Hedged ETC 20.43% 8.27% 2.13% -11.48% 29.04%
Xtrackers Physical Gold ETC 20.42% 7.36% 11.32% -2.95% 20.08%
WisdomTree Physical Gold 20.34% 7.21% 11.18% -3.07% 19.90%
Gold Bullion Securities 20.32% 7.20% 11.16% -3.09% 19.89%
WisdomTree Gold 19.74% 4.93% 9.49% -4.06% 15.69%
WisdomTree Physical Precious Metals 13.84% -8.54% 11.66% -10.17% 22.33%
Xtrackers Physical Rhodium ETC 7.04% -62.93% 7.08% -14.44% 173.97%
Invesco Physical Platinum -7.13% -10.84% 23.85% -9.90% 7.05%
iShares Physical Platinum ETC -7.22% -10.91% 23.93% -9.98% 7.33%
Xtrackers IE Physical Platinum ETC Securities -7.24% -10.77% 22.65% -8.35% -
WisdomTree Physical Platinum -7.36% -11.10% 23.48% -10.19% 7.19%
Invesco Physical Palladium -15.60% -40.92% 3.75% -18.44% 19.87%
iShares Physical Palladium ETC -15.85% -40.93% 3.74% -18.42% 19.51%
WisdomTree Physical Palladium -15.87% -41.10% 3.44% -18.72% 19.29%
WisdomTree Core Physical Silver - - - - -

Source: justETF.com; As of 30/09/2024; Calculations in GBP including dividends