A gold ETF — or gold exchange-traded fund — is a market-linked instrument that seeks to capture and mirror the price trends of physical gold. These funds — categorised under ‘other’ schemes, distinct from equity, debt, hybrid or solution-oriented schemes — invest in 99.5 per cent pure gold bullion (also known as 995 purity). Gold ETFs are listed and traded on the NSE and BSE. This article highlights some of the top-performing gold ETFs as of August 2025, based on data from the mutual fund industry regulator AMFI.
Top gold ETF returns
Four gold ETFs have outperformed their benchmarks by a wide margin, delivering returns of 38 per cent and above. To put these gains in perspective, a Rs 5 lakh investment in the top fund has grown to approximately Rs 6.94 lakh over the past year.
4. HDFC Gold ETF
HDFC Gold ETF has delivered a return of 38.01 per cent over the past one year. Available at an expense ratio of 0.59 per cent, the scheme has an NAV of Rs 86.48.
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A Rs 5 lakh investment a year ago is worth around approximately Rs 6,90,500 today, calculations show.
3. Axis Gold ETF
The Axis Gold ETF has given a return of 38.05 per cent in a year.
The scheme comes at an expense ratio of 0.54 per cent and an NAV of Rs 84.35.
A sum of Rs 5 lakh invested in this scheme a year ago is now about Rs 6,90,250.
2. ICICI Prudential Gold
The ICICI Prudential Gold ETF has delivered a 38.06 per cent return over the same period.
With an NAV of Rs 86.59, the fund is available at an expense ratio of 0.50 per cent.
A Rs 5,00,000 investment in this scheme a year ago would now be worth approximately Rs 6,90,300.
1. UTI Gold ETF
The UTI Gold ETF leads with a 38.73 per cent return in a year.
Available at an expense ratio of 0.48 per cent, the scheme has an NAV of Rs 84.90.
A Rs 5,00,000 lump sum investment made in this scheme a year ago is now worth approximately Rs 6,93,650.
Gold ETFs are a passive and convenient way to invest in gold, allowing investors to gain exposure without worrying about storage, security, or purity. They also serve as a cost-effective avenue since there are no making charges involved. The 995 purity of gold is also known as 24 carat KS.