The Best Gold ETF Is SPDR Gold Shares (GLD): Here's Why I'm Holding It in 2026

The author recommends SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) as the best gold ETF for most investors, citing its size ($146B AUM), global accessibility across multiple exchanges, and transparent holdings verification. While its 0.4% expense ratio is higher than competitors, it remains a practical inflation hedge, especially during periods of elevated inflation. The author maintains a ~4% portfolio allocation to GLD.