
The iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF is a popular investment option for those looking to tap into the gold mining industry. It tracks the MSCI ACWI Select Gold Miners Investable Market Index.
This ETF is designed to provide exposure to a diversified portfolio of global gold mining companies. It invests in a wide range of companies, from large-cap miners to smaller, more specialized firms.
The fund has a relatively low expense ratio, making it an attractive option for investors. Its fees are 0.39% of the net asset value.
Investors can buy and sell shares of the ETF through various online platforms or through a financial advisor.
Fees and Costs
When investing in the iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF, it's essential to understand the fees involved. The management fee is a significant cost to consider, at 0.39% as of the current prospectus.
The management fee is the primary expense you'll incur when investing in this ETF. It's a relatively low fee, but it's still something to keep in mind.

You'll also want to take note of the Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, which are currently 0.00%. This means you won't have to worry about any additional fees on top of the management fee.
Other Expenses are also 0.00%, which is a great sign for investors. This means you won't have to pay any extra fees beyond the management fee.
The Expense Ratio is simply the sum of the management fee, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, and Other Expenses. In this case, it's 0.39%, which is the same as the management fee.
Here's a breakdown of the fees and costs associated with the iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF:
Performance and Holdings
The iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of global equities of companies primarily engaged in the business of gold mining.
Newmont Corporation is the largest holding in the ETF, making up 17.70% of the portfolio. This is a significant stake, and it's interesting to see how it compares to other holdings.

Agnico Eagle Mines Limited is the second-largest holding, with a weight of 15.72%. This suggests that the ETF has a diversified portfolio, with no single company dominating the holdings.
Barrick Gold Corporation is another major player, making up 10.47% of the portfolio. This is a significant holding, and it's worth noting that the company is a well-established player in the gold mining industry.
Here are the top 10 holdings in the ETF:
Geographic Distribution
The iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF has a significant geographic presence, with a focus on gold mining companies from around the world.
The fund invests in gold mining companies from developed markets such as the United States, Canada, and Australia, as well as from emerging markets like China and South Africa.
These countries are home to some of the world's largest and most well-established gold mining companies, making them a key component of the fund's geographic distribution.
DistribuciĆ³n
The distribution of a fund's performance is a crucial aspect of its overall health. The data shows that the fund's total return has ranged from -14.92% in 2021 to 14.72% in 2024.

Looking at the annual returns, we can see that the fund's performance has been quite volatile. In 2020, the total return was 24.99%, while in 2021 it dropped to -7.97%. This trend continued in 2022 with a total return of -14.92%.
Here's a breakdown of the fund's total return for each year:
The reference index has also shown significant fluctuations, with a high of 25.35% in 2020 and a low of -15.07% in 2022.
The fund's performance has also been affected by the time frame considered. Over the past 1 month, the total return was -8.30%, while over the past 10 years it was 114.02%. This highlights the importance of considering different time frames when evaluating a fund's performance.
Super-Sized Ownership in North America's 3 Largest
In North America, the largest gold miners hold a significant portion of the region's gold reserves.
The iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF (RING) focuses on the top three North American gold miners.
This concentration of ownership in the largest miners can have a substantial impact on the market.
RING offers lower management fees compared to its peer, the VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX).
Investors looking to tap into North America's gold reserves may find RING's higher dividend yields appealing.
Investment Risks and Considerations

The iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF faces major headwinds in the form of still-elevated valuations.
This means that the fund's price is higher than its intrinsic value, making it a potential risk for investors.
Weak long-term growth prospects also pose a challenge, indicating that the fund's performance may not be as strong as expected.
Investors should be cautious when considering the ETF's potential returns.
A Risky Bet
Investing in the gold mining industry is a high-risk bet despite current high gold prices. The iShares MSCI Gold Miners Index faces major headwinds in the form of still-elevated valuations.
Weakened long-term growth prospects are a significant concern for investors. The industry's growth prospects are not as strong as they once were.
Investors should be cautious of an increasingly precarious gold price outlook. This could have a negative impact on the gold mining industry as a whole.
Four Reasons
The dollar's collapse can have a significant impact on the gold mining industry, potentially leading to increased demand for gold miners like those tracked by the iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF.
In such a scenario, the dollar's decline could result in better gold realizations, which is a positive sign for investors.
Valuation and Market Trends

The iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF (RING) has been outperforming other gold ETFs, driven by a weaker USD and central bank buying.
RING offers diversified global exposure to gold mining companies, which is a key factor in its success. Its diversified portfolio is a major advantage over other gold ETFs.
Gold mining companies in RING's portfolio generate a fairly decent return on equity, suggesting that the fund's investee companies are performing well. However, this also means that the fund's valuation may be closer to fair value than initially thought.
The fund's concentrated portfolio and fairly decent return on equity suggest that gold miners are probably fairly valued, with limited upside potential. This is a crucial consideration for investors looking to invest in RING.
Miners Outpacing, Low Valuation
Gold miners are outperforming gold itself, which is a notable trend in the market.
The weaker US dollar has been a significant driver of this trend, as it makes gold more attractive to investors.

RING, a gold ETF, has outperformed other gold ETFs, offering diversified global exposure to gold mining companies.
This suggests that investors are not just buying gold, but also the companies that extract it.
Central bank buying has also contributed to the surge in gold and gold mining stocks.
It's worth noting that RING is still valued relatively low, which could be an opportunity for investors.
Miners Are Fairly Valued
Gold mining companies in RING's portfolio generate a fairly decent return on equity. This is a key factor in determining the fund's valuation.
RING invests in gold mining companies, and its portfolio is concentrated. This focus on a few key companies can be beneficial for investors looking for a more streamlined approach.
The fund is probably trading at close to fair value based on present expectations of earnings growth. This suggests that the current price of RING may be a good time to buy in for investors.

Gold miners have a strong tendency to outperform during gold bull markets. This is an important consideration for investors looking to ride the next wave of gold price recovery.
RING offers diversified global exposure to gold mining companies. This can be a major advantage for investors looking to spread their risk across multiple assets.
Market Movement and Trends
Gold miner ETFs tend to surge in value when investors seek safe-haven assets.
The first trading day of 2021 saw a significant increase in gold miner ETFs as investors turned to the yellow metal as a hedge against coronavirus concerns and government instability.
Investors often view gold as a safe-haven asset, which can drive up the value of gold miner ETFs.
The iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF was up 2.6% at midday on the first trading day of 2021.
The dollar's decline contributed to the rise in gold prices and, subsequently, gold miner ETFs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between gold ETF and gold miners ETF?
Gold ETFs track gold prices, while gold miners ETFs track gold mining companies, offering different investment approaches to gold market exposure
Sources
- https://www.ishares.com/us/products/239654/ishares-msci-global-gold-miners-etf
- https://www.blackrock.com/us/individual/products/239654/ishares-msci-global-gold-miners-etf
- https://www.composer.trade/etf/RING
- https://www.blackrock.com/mx/intermediarios/productos/239654/ishares-msci-global-gold-miners-etf
- https://stockanalysis.com/etf/ring/
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