Gold is glittering, and it is time to make the most of it. While last year was a strong year for the precious metal, and has started 2026 even stronger. And after a recent pullback, prices have recovered with the market expecting the yellow metal to keep soaring throughout 2026.
If you’re not willing to bet on physical gold, consider buying exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Gold miners are doing great, and gold mining stocks have steadily rallied as gold prices soar. There’s a risk of holding gold stocks, but this risk reduces when you invest in ETFs.
An ETF will hold a bunch of stocks that could give optimal exposure to the industry. You can enjoy ultimate diversification while keeping the risk at bay. If you’re ready to make the most of gold, here are three ETFs worth buying this year.
VanEck Gold Miners ETF
Gold miners are making the most of the recent rally, and they’re expected to continue growing this year. Gold miner ETFs benefit due to the gold pricing. The underground gold reserves are priced at a discount to the current spot prices. This allows mining companies to enjoy an attractive cost structure.
The VanEck Vectors Gold Miners ETF (NYSEARCA: GDX | GDX Price Prediction) tracks the MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index. Launched in 2006, the fund is the nation’s first gold miners ETF and has an expense ratio of 0.51%.
GDX focuses on the basic materials sector and has a history of two decades. It has $30.44 billion in assets under management and has a portfolio of the world’s largest gold mining companies. GDX gained 132% in the past year and is exchanging hands for $97.39. It has gone from $41 last February to $97 today. The ETF has a yield of 0.65%, pays an annual dividend, and has generated a 1-year average annual return of 145%.
GDX holds 55 stocks and has the highest allocation in Canada (47.26%), followed by the United States (19.82%) and Australia (8.54%). The fund holds the largest gold miners, including Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd., Barrick Mining Corp., and Newmont Corp. The global diversification allows you to own the best mining companies at little risk.
SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust
The SPDR Gold MiniShares (NYSE: GLDM) is another great ETF that will help you make the most of the upside in gold. The fund tracks the price of gold and provides exposure to gold bullion. You don’t need to worry about physical storage, and you can participate in the gold rally at a lower cost. The ETF has assets under management of $28 billion and an expense ratio of 0.10%.
GLDM is a pure-play gold ETF and invests 100% of the portfolio in gold holdings. It tracks gold’s spot price as closely as possible and has been around for seven years. The ETF has generated an average annualized return of 76.99% in a year and 37.15% in three years.
If you seek long-term exposure to gold at the lowest possible cost, GLDM can be a good choice. It invests only in gold bullion and offers a way to enjoy gold ownership without worrying about the physical ownership.
The fund has gained 70% in the past year and is exchanging hands for $98.06. It was trading for $57 last February and has reached very close to $100 today. The fund is very similar to SPDR Gold Trust (NYSEARCA:GLD) but has a lower expense ratio, making it suitable for cost-conscious investors.
iShares Gold Trust
Up 72% in the past year, the iShares Gold Trust (NYSEARCA:IAU) is exchanging hands for $94.68 and is a strong buy before it reaches $100. The ETF has $78 billion in assets under management and an expense ratio of 0.25%.
The fund tracks the spot price of gold and offers exposure to physical bullion. IAU has over a 20-year history and is highly liquid. It offers exposure to day-to-day movement of gold prices and has generated an average annual return of 64.60% in a year and 33.13% in three years.
The fund also tracks the price of gold through physical holdings and is classified as real estate. It doesn’t offer any yield but has the name recognition and a low expense ratio.
IAU will make investors feel comfortable about being a part of the gold rally. The fund is similar to the other two mentioned here, except that GDX pays a dividend. It is a pure-play gold ETF and offers exposure to the metal. It is also a low-risk way of investing in the industry without physically holding gold.
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