SPDR Gold Shares (NYSEArca: GLD) is the second-largest ETF listed in the United States, with around $40 billion in assets. Other large ETFs that give investors direct exposure to precious metals include the iShares Silver Trust (NYSEArca: SLV) and iShares COMEX Gold Trust (NYSEArca: IAU). [Your Guide to Investing in Metals ETFs.]
Another play on precious metals is through mining and natural-resource stocks. For instance, one may consider the Market Vectors Gold Miners (NYSEArca: GDX) or the Market Vectors Junior Gold Miners (NYSEArca: GDXJ), which tracks small- and mid-sized gold and silver mining companies.
First Trust has recently launched the industry’s first equity-based platinum and copper ETFs – the First Trust ISE Global Copper (NASDAQ: CU) and First Trust ISE Global Platinum (NASDAQ: PLTM). Both funds hold metals and mining stocks. [First Trust’s New Platinum and Copper ETFs.]
For more information on metals, visit our precious metals or base metals category.
Max Chen contributed to this article.