PHYS VS BAR
3 min read
By Ron Koren, ETF Insider

PHYS VS BAR

Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) have gained immense popularity as versatile investment tools, offering investors exposure to a diverse array of sectors and asset classes. In this article, we will embark on an in-depth comparison between two prominent gold-related ETFs: PHYS (Sprott Physical Gold Trust) and BAR (GraniteShares Gold Trust). We will explore key aspects such as ETF tickers, full names, issuers, sectors, top holdings, capitalization, strategy, tracking, and exposure.

PHYS VS BAR: Overview

PHYS and BAR are two distinctive ETFs that revolve around the gold sector. While PHYS focuses on providing direct exposure to physical gold, BAR targets the broader gold industry, including gold futures. The nuances of these differing strategies lead to varying risk-reward profiles that we will delve into further.

PHYS VS BAR: Sectors and Top Holdings

The PHYS ETF is primarily designed to track the price movements of physical gold bullion, holding gold bars stored in secure vaults. On the other hand, BAR is structured to replicate the performance of gold futures contracts, involving both short and long positions. Understanding these sectoral focuses and the top holdings within each ETF sheds light on the underlying assets driving their performance.

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PHYS VS BAR: Capitalization and Strategy

PHYS boasts a substantial Asset Under Management (AUM), indicating its popularity among investors seeking direct exposure to physical gold. BAR's strategy, centered around gold futures contracts, introduces the element of leverage and the potential for amplified gains or losses. Assessing the differences in capitalization and strategy empowers investors to align their investments with their risk preferences.

PHYS VS BAR: Tracking and Exposure

PHYS achieves its goal of tracking the price of physical gold through its holdings of gold bullion. In contrast, BAR's tracking method involves a combination of gold futures contracts, allowing investors to speculate on gold price movements. The variance in tracking methodologies can impact the correlation between the ETFs and the underlying gold price, thereby influencing investment outcomes.

Conclusion

PHYS and BAR represent two distinct paths for investors interested in the gold market. As investors seek deeper insights into holdings, correlations, overlaps, and other facets of these financial instruments, the ETF Insider app emerges as an invaluable resource. With its user-friendly interface, this app provides comprehensive details about various ETFs, including PHYS and BAR, empowering investors to make informed decisions.

Disclaimer: This article does not offer any form of investment advisory services.

Sources:

Sprott Physical Gold Trust - https://www.sprott.com/investment-strategies/physical-bullion-trusts/sprott-physical-gold-and-silver-trusts/
GraniteShares Gold Trust - https://www.graniteshares.com/institutional/us/en-us/research/bar

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