Gold exchange-traded funds
What are exchange-traded funds?
Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are mutual fund schemes that are listed and traded on exchanges like stocks. ETFs trading value is based on the net asset value (NAV) of the assets it represents. Generally, ETFs invest in a basket of stocks and try to replicate a stock market index such as the S&P CNX Nifty or BSE Sensex, a market sector such as energy or technology, or a commodity such as gold or petroleum.
Recently, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) amended its regulations and allowed mutual funds launch gold exchange-traded funds (GETFs) in India. Two mutual funds, UTI mutual fund and Benchmark Mutual Fund, are set to launch GETEs in a few days. These funds would be listed on the National Stock Exchange (NSE).
What are gold exchange-traded funds?
A gold-exchange traded fund unit is like a mutual fund unit backed by gold as the underlying asset and would be held mostly in demat form. An investor would get a securities certificate issued by the mutual fund running the Gold-ETF defining the ownership of a particular amount of gold. GETFs are designed to offer investors a means of participating in the gold bullion market without the necessity of taking physical delivery of gold, and to buy and sell through trading of a security on a stock exchange.
With gold being one of the important asset classes, GETFs will provide a better, simpler and affordable method of investing as compared to other investment methods like bullion, gold coins, gold futures, or jewellery.
Advantages of GETFs
· No risk of holding physical stock: As GETFs are issued in demat form, the risk associated with holding physical gold is reduced considerably.
· Affordable: GETFs are ideal for small retain investors as they can buy a just one unit from the exchange. The minimum amount of investment during the NFO period for Cash is Rs 10,000 and in multiples of Rs 1,000 thereafter. One unit of the fund will represent one gram of gold.
· High Liquidity: GETFs can be easily bought / sold like any other stock on the exchange during market hours at real-time prices as opposed to end of day prices.
· Lower cost: GETFs enjoy the benefits of lower cost and higher transparency. As they are listed on the exchange, costs of distribution are much lower. Further, exchange traded mechanism helps reduce minimal collection, disbursement and other processing charges. Gold futures include the cost of carry that will be absent on a GETF.
· Low tracking error: Tracking Error of GETFs is likely to be low as compared to a normal fund. Due to the creation / redemption of units only through in-kind mechanism the fund can keep lesser funds in cash. Also, time lag between buying / selling units and the underlying physical gold is much lower.
Conclusion
India is the world's biggest consumer of gold, consuming 700-800 tonnes annually, the majority of which is used for jewellery. Gold ETFs are expected to be popular as investment-led buying for gold has pushed aside some of the demand for gold jewellery. Buying jewellery as an investment in gold can be expensive as charges in the form of making, storage and other services tend to increase the cost, while gold-ETFs can be an effective invest tool to help one build significant wealth over time.
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