The SPDR Gold Trust aims to mirror the market price movements of physical gold bullion, after deducting its operational expenses. This pioneering fund was the first gold exchange-traded fund (ETF) to be introduced in the U.S., and also the initial U.S.-listed ETF to be backed by a tangible asset. For a significant number of investors, the combined expenses of purchasing GLD shares on the secondary market and covering the Trust's continuous fees could be lower than the expenditures associated with directly acquiring, safeguarding, and insuring physical gold within a conventional allocated bullion account.