SPDR Gold Shares (GLD)

SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) leads as the premier gold ETF, commanding $60 billion in assets under management since its 2004 launch. Storing over 930 tonnes of physical gold in HSBC's London vaults, it provides a direct hedge against inflation and market volatility, with gold rising 12% year-to-date. Compared to ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK), GLD offers a far more stable store of value, outperforming the average equity ETF in downside protection during recessions.