SGOL — Aberdeen Standard Physical Gold Shares ETF
Aberdeen Standard · Expense Ratio: 0.17% · Commodities · 34bp below the Commodities category average of 0.51%
Key Facts
| Ticker | SGOL |
| Full Name | Aberdeen Standard Physical Gold Shares ETF |
| Provider | Aberdeen Standard |
| Expense Ratio | 0.17% |
| Category | Commodities |
| Assets Under Management | $3B |
| Inception Year | 2009 (17 years ago) |
| Number of Holdings | 1 |
| Top Holdings | Physical Gold Bullion |
What Is SGOL?
SGOL, managed by Aberdeen Standard, launched in 2009, is a smaller fund — check bid-ask spreads before making large trades in the Commodities category. Commodity ETF tracking gold, silver, or other physical commodity prices. With $3B in assets under management, investors should verify current bid-ask spreads, especially for large orders.
SGOL in a FIRE Portfolio
Physical gold provides a hedge against both inflation and market crashes — useful as a small portfolio diversifier for risk-averse FIRE investors.
Gold and commodity ETFs historically perform well during periods of high inflation and market stress. Most FIRE portfolios allocate 0-10% to such hedges — enough to provide downside protection without sacrificing long-term growth.
Cost Analysis: How SGOL's 0.17% Fee Affects Your FIRE Timeline
At 0.17%, SGOL is moderately priced. Annual cost on a $100K position: $170. Over 30 years, fees could consume approximately 1% of total returns. On a $1M FIRE portfolio, cumulative fees approach $17,000. Compare with lower-cost peers in Commodities: .
Frequently Asked Questions About SGOL
What is the expense ratio for SGOL?
SGOL has an expense ratio of 0.17%. This is moderately priced — on a $100K portfolio, annual fees are $170. 34bp below the commodities category average of 0.51%.
Is SGOL good for a FIRE portfolio?
Physical gold provides a hedge against both inflation and market crashes — useful as a small portfolio diversifier for risk-averse FIRE investors. Its 0.17% expense ratio is moderately priced for the Commodities category.
How does the 0.17% fee affect long-term returns?
At 0.17%, you'll pay $170/year per $100K invested. Over 30 years, fees reduce total returns by approximately 1%. Use the embedded calculator below to model the exact impact on your specific portfolio.
Is SGOL liquid enough for my portfolio?
SGOL manages $3B in assets — a smaller fund — check bid-ask spreads before making large trades. For most individual FIRE investors making regular contributions, liquidity is sufficient. If you're investing large lump sums ($100K+), use limit orders to control your execution price.
Similar ETFs in Commodities
- GLD — SPDR Gold Trust (0.4% · Portfolio Hedge)
- SLV — iShares Silver Trust (0.5% · Not Recommended for FIRE)
- PDBC — Invesco Optimum Yield Diversified Commodity Strategy No K-1 ETF (0.59% · Not Recommended for FIRE)
- DBC — Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund (0.89% · Not Recommended for FIRE)
- GSG — iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (0.75% · Not Recommended for FIRE)
- IAU — iShares Gold Trust (0.25% · Portfolio Hedge)