Difference between E-Gold and Gold ETF

Investors can invest in gold through ETFs as well through e-gold of national spot exchange.There are some minor differences in ETF and e-gold.

• Fund managers track gold prices through Net Asset Value (NAV).NAV of Gold ETF is net of liabilities so NAV and returns of different ETFs are different.
• While in NSEL e-gold investors directly tracks gold prices.
• NAV of ETFs are inclusive of custodian charges.while NSEL do not charge any holding charges.
• In e-gold ,investors are directly holding the gold units ,,,while in Gold ETFs gold is actually owned by mutual fund AMCs.
• Physical delivery in small denominations is possible in e-gold.while in gold ETFs physical delivery depends on  sole discretion of ETFs.
• ETFs may offer delivery for investors holding Gold of  higher amount.
• We can invest in gold ETF only up to 3:30 PM IST as market get closed.while spot market is open till midnight and we can invest in e-gold series till 11:30 PM.Suppose if gold ETF closed  with NAV of 2300 (Time : 3:30 pm) and get closed at e-gold at 2330(At 11:30 pm).Then there is a difference of Rs.30 per gram in both the prices.Gold ETF will try to cover up this difference on opening itself.Investors will not get opportunity to get the price in between.
• In both cases,buy-sell intraday/delivery brokerages are payable which are in general in the range of 0.3 to 1%.

E-gold will be taxed like a Physical gold while Gold ETFs are taxed as Non equity mutual