Average Daily Volume
4.97M
Fund Overview
The Sprott Physical Gold Trust (PHYS) is a closed-end trust that invests primarily in physical gold bullion. The trust provides investors with a secure and convenient way to gain exposure to the price of gold without the complexities of storing physical bullion. Each unit represents a fractional, undivided beneficial interest in the trust's gold holdings, which are stored in secure vaults in Canada. PHYS is designed to offer a cost-effective and transparent investment vehicle for those seeking to hedge against inflation, currency fluctuations, or market volatility with physical gold.
- Asset Class
-
Commodity
- Industry
-
N/A
- Annual Dividend Rate
-
- Smart Beta
-
No
- Leveraged / Inverse
-
N/A / No
- Dividend Quality - Yield
-
- N/A
- Currency Hedged
-
No
- Portfolio Turnover
-
N/A
- Dividend Date
-
Why Invest in the PHYS ETF?
Potential Benefits
- Direct exposure to physical gold bullion, providing a hedge against inflation and currency devaluation.
- Gold is stored in secure vaults, eliminating the need for investors to handle physical storage.
- Highly liquid, with units that can be bought and sold like stocks on major exchanges.
- Transparent holdings, with regular updates on the quantity and location of gold bullion.
- Potential tax advantages in certain jurisdictions compared to other gold investment vehicles.
Potential Risks
- Gold prices can be volatile, influenced by macroeconomic factors and investor sentiment.
- Management fees and expenses can erode returns over time.
- No income generation, as gold does not pay dividends or interest.
- Potential liquidity constraints during extreme market conditions.
- Regulatory changes or taxation policies could impact the attractiveness of gold investments.
RSI data unavailable or insufficient history.
Monthly Returns (%)
| Year |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
| 2026 |
+10.4%
|
+10.1%
|
-11.7%
|
-1.2%
|
-1.7%
|
-12.3%
|
+1.4%
|
+10.5%
|
-7.5%
|
+0.5%
|
-
|
-
|
| 2025 |
+7.5%
|
+2.1%
|
+8.9%
|
+4.5%
|
0.0%
|
+0.8%
|
-0.7%
|
+5.4%
|
+11.7%
|
+2.5%
|
+6.3%
|
+2.3%
|
| 2024 |
-1.1%
|
+0.3%
|
+9.6%
|
+2.3%
|
+2.3%
|
-0.2%
|
+5.1%
|
+2.6%
|
+4.7%
|
+4.6%
|
-4.0%
|
-1.6%
|
| 2023 |
+6.0%
|
-5.9%
|
+10.0%
|
+0.4%
|
-0.6%
|
-3.3%
|
+2.5%
|
-1.0%
|
-5.5%
|
+8.2%
|
+2.3%
|
+0.4%
|
| 2022 |
-0.4%
|
+5.4%
|
+2.0%
|
-2.6%
|
-3.9%
|
-1.4%
|
-2.5%
|
-3.5%
|
-4.0%
|
-1.5%
|
+8.0%
|
+3.5%
|
| 2021 |
-3.7%
|
-5.6%
|
-2.2%
|
+4.2%
|
+8.7%
|
-7.6%
|
+2.4%
|
-0.1%
|
-3.8%
|
+2.2%
|
-1.0%
|
+2.9%
|
| 2020 |
+4.8%
|
-1.7%
|
+4.6%
|
+4.8%
|
+1.0%
|
+3.0%
|
+9.9%
|
-0.4%
|
-3.9%
|
-0.3%
|
-7.5%
|
+8.6%
|
| 2019 |
+3.3%
|
-0.5%
|
-1.4%
|
-1.9%
|
+1.5%
|
+8.9%
|
+0.3%
|
+7.9%
|
-3.6%
|
+2.5%
|
-3.0%
|
+3.6%
|
| 2018 |
+3.6%
|
-2.1%
|
+0.1%
|
-0.6%
|
-1.2%
|
-3.6%
|
-2.7%
|
-2.6%
|
-1.0%
|
+2.4%
|
+0.4%
|
+5.0%
|
| 2017 |
+6.0%
|
+3.1%
|
-0.4%
|
+1.3%
|
-0.1%
|
-2.0%
|
+2.2%
|
+4.3%
|
-3.2%
|
-1.0%
|
+0.4%
|
+2.0%
|
< -5%
-5% to -2%
-2% to 0%
0%
0% to +2%
+2% to +5%
> +5%
Top Holdings (by weight)
| Symbol |
Company Name |
Weight |
No holdings data available.
Related ETFs: PHYS vs Peers
Comparison highlights key differences on cost, coverage, and focus within sector ETFs.
Investment Strategy
PHYS aims to provide investors with a secure and cost-effective way to own physical gold. The trust holds allocated gold bullion stored in secure vaults, with each unit representing a fractional interest in the underlying metal. Unlike some gold ETFs that use derivatives or futures, PHYS offers direct ownership of physical gold. The trust does not engage in active trading but instead focuses on long-term holding of bullion. Redemptions are possible for large unitholders, who can exchange units for physical gold bars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does PHYS hold physical gold?
Yes, PHYS holds allocated physical gold bullion stored in secure vaults in Canada, providing direct exposure to the price of gold.
How does PHYS differ from gold mining ETFs?
PHYS invests directly in physical gold bullion, while gold mining ETFs invest in companies involved in gold extraction, which are subject to operational risks and equity market volatility.
Can I redeem PHYS units for physical gold?
Yes, large unitholders (typically holding 10,000 units or more) can redeem their units for physical gold bars, subject to certain conditions and fees.
What are the main costs associated with PHYS?
PHYS charges a management fee for storage and administrative expenses, which is typically higher than some passive gold ETFs but competitive for physical gold trusts.
Is PHYS a good hedge against inflation?
Historically, gold has served as an inflation hedge, and PHYS provides direct exposure to gold prices, making it a potential tool for inflation protection in a diversified portfolio.
Industry Overview
The Sprott Physical Gold Trust (PHYS) is part of the precious metals investment sector, specifically focusing on gold. Gold has long been considered a safe-haven asset, often sought during times of economic uncertainty, inflation, or currency devaluation. PHYS offers investors direct exposure to physical gold, distinguishing it from gold mining ETFs or futures-based products. The trust is ideal for those looking to diversify their portfolios with a tangible asset that historically retains value over the long term.
Alternative Comparison
Compared to other gold ETFs like GLD or IAU, PHYS stands out due to its structure as a closed-end trust, which may offer tax advantages in certain jurisdictions. Unlike some competitors that rely on futures contracts, PHYS holds physical gold, providing more direct exposure to spot prices. However, its expense ratio may be slightly higher than some passive gold ETFs. Another key differentiator is PHYS's redemption feature, allowing large investors to take physical delivery of gold, a feature not commonly available with other gold ETFs.
Issuer Overview
Sprott Asset Management, the issuer of PHYS, is a well-established investment firm specializing in precious metals and natural resources. Known for its expertise in physical bullion trusts, Sprott provides investors with transparent and secure access to gold, silver, and other precious metals. The firm is recognized for its disciplined approach to asset management and commitment to investor education.
Conclusion
The Sprott Physical Gold Trust (PHYS) is a compelling option for investors seeking direct exposure to physical gold. With secure storage, transparent holdings, and the backing of a reputable issuer, PHYS provides a reliable way to hedge against economic uncertainty. While gold investments carry inherent risks, PHYS offers a straightforward and efficient vehicle for those looking to add precious metals to their portfolios.
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