Topic: How To Invest

Pat: What do you think about SPDR Gold Trust?

Article Excerpt

SPDR Gold Trust ETF, $130.11, symbol GLD on New York (Shares outstanding: 302.8 million; Market cap: $39.4 billion; www.spdrgoldshares.com), holds 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…