Topic: How To Invest

Hi Pat: Would you recommend SPDR Gold Trust as a buy? Also, what are your thoughts on holding gold bullion in general? Thanks much.

Article Excerpt

SPDR Gold Trust, $167.29, symbol GLD on New York (Shares outstanding: 427.4 million; Market cap: $71.5 billion; www.spdrgoldshares.com), is an investment trust that aims to reflect the performance of the price of gold bullion minus the trust’s expenses. SPDR Gold Trust’s sole assets are gold bullion and, from time to time, cash. Unlike stocks, commodity investments such as gold bullion do not generate income. Instead they come with a continuing cash drain for management, insurance and so on. SPDR Gold Trust’s expenses are 0.4% of its assets per year. In general, we recommend staying away from buying gold bullion, coins (unless you collect them as a hobby) or certificates representing an interest in bullion. But if you do want to hold bullion, SPDR Gold Trust is a relatively low-cost and liquid way to do it. it. …