GLTR ETF

GLTR (abrdn Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF) is an exchange-traded fund that provides exposure to physical precious metals through a single investment. The fund’s objective is to reflect the price performance of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium in the proportions held by the trust, net of expenses.

GLTR (as a fund/trust) was originally launched under the sponsorship of ETF Securities USA LLC (part of the ETF Securities group). Subsequently, the sponsor was renamed/changed to Aberdeen Standard Investments ETFs Sponsor LLC (currently operating under the abrdn brand).

What are you actually investing in?
The fund holds metals in the form of allocated bullion and allocated bullion positions, rather than investing in shares of mining companies. The fund’s materials state that a detailed bar list is published on a daily basis, and that an independent inspector conducts audits of the vaults twice per year.

Basket composition
The weightings of the metals change over time; however, the underlying structure remains a basket of four metals. According to the fact sheet as of 30 September 2025, the weightings were as follows:
• Gold — 64.0%
• Silver — 28.3%
• Platinum — 4.1%
• Palladium — 3.5%

Storage arrangements
The metals are stored in secured vaults in London. For platinum and palladium, the trust documentation also provides for storage in London or Zurich through sub-custodians.

Fees and distributions
• Total Expense Ratio (TER): 0.60% per annum
• Dividends: generally none (returns are generated through changes in metal prices)

Why GLTR is included in a portfolio
• Diversification: exposure to four metals instead of a single-metal allocation.
• Inflation and currency risk hedge: precious metals often behave differently from equities and bonds (though not in all market conditions).
• No corporate mining risk: no dependence on mining company management, leverage, operational incidents, or similar factors (while retaining metal price and storage risks).

Risks (important, no “magic”)

• High volatility: precious metal prices can fluctuate significantly.
• Tax considerations (U.S.): the trust is classified as a grantor trust, and gains on such bullion-linked instruments may be taxed as “collectibles,” with long-term capital gains for U.S. individuals potentially taxed at rates of up to 28%. This refers specifically to the U.S. tax regime; investors outside the U.S. are subject to their own local tax rules.

Key instrument details (summary)
• Ticker: GLTR
• Type: ETF / Trust backed by physical precious metals
• Exchange: NYSE
• Expense ratio: 0.60% per annum

Minimum transaction amount on Regolith
$250 (minimum entry amount for this instrument via the platform)