VanEck Merk Gold ETF (OUNZ) belongs to the Gold category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with OUNZ. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to OUNZ
OUNZ charges 0.25% annually. There are 7 ETFs in the Gold category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.09%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares Gold Trust Micro | 0.09% | 6.41B | Jun 2021 | OUNZ vs IAUM | |
| SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust | 0.10% | 27.70B | Jun 2018 | OUNZ vs GLDM | |
| Franklin Responsibly Sourced Gold ETF | 0.15% | 415.33M | Jun 2022 | OUNZ vs FGDL | |
| abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF | 0.17% | 6.81B | Sep 2009 | OUNZ vs SGOL | |
| GraniteShares Gold Trust | 0.17% | 1.37B | Aug 2017 | OUNZ vs BAR |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to OUNZ
OUNZ has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 22. There are 16 ETFs in the Gold category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 34.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fun... | 34 | 446.44M | Mar 2022 | OUNZ vs GDE | |
| Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF | 34 | 279.82M | Mar 2015 | OUNZ vs SGDJ | |
| Sprott Active Gold & Silver Miners ETF | 31 | 141.74M | Feb 2025 | OUNZ vs GBUG | |
| Global X Gold Explorers ETF | 30 | 107.26M | Nov 2010 | OUNZ vs GOEX | |
| iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF | 28 | 2.29B | Jan 2012 | OUNZ vs RING |
Top Performing OUNZ Alternatives (YTD)
OUNZ is at -7.81% YTD. There are 8 ETFs in the Gold category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 9.14%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DB Gold Short Exchange Traded Notes | 9.14% | 1.84M | Feb 2008 | OUNZ vs DGZ | |
| ProShares UltraShort Gold | 5.05% | 113.41M | Dec 2008 | OUNZ vs GLL | |
| WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fun... | -1.44% | 446.44M | Mar 2022 | OUNZ vs GDE | |
| FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF | -4.86% | 51.07M | Jan 2021 | OUNZ vs BGLD | |
| UBS AG ETRACS Gold Shares Covered Call ETNs due Fe... | -6.41% | 169.31M | Jan 2013 | OUNZ vs GLDI |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to OUNZ
OUNZ has 27.79% 1-year volatility. There are 8 ETFs in the Gold category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 12.69%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF | 12.69% | 51.07M | Jan 2021 | OUNZ vs BGLD | |
| UBS AG ETRACS Gold Shares Covered Call ETNs due Fe... | 16.52% | 169.31M | Jan 2013 | OUNZ vs GLDI | |
| NEOS Gold High Income ETF | 21.90% | 478.03M | Jun 2025 | OUNZ vs IAUI | |
| FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF | 24.92% | 510.89M | Mar 2021 | OUNZ vs IGLD | |
| Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF | 25.12% | 25.43M | Apr 2025 | OUNZ vs GOLI |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to OUNZ
OUNZ has a 1-year max drawdown of -26.31%. There are 8 ETFs in the Gold category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -12.43%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF | -12.43% | 51.07M | Jan 2021 | OUNZ vs BGLD | |
| UBS AG ETRACS Gold Shares Covered Call ETNs due Fe... | -15.81% | 169.31M | Jan 2013 | OUNZ vs GLDI | |
| NEOS Gold High Income ETF | -22.50% | 478.03M | Jun 2025 | OUNZ vs IAUI | |
| WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fun... | -22.66% | 446.44M | Mar 2022 | OUNZ vs GDE | |
| FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF | -23.84% | 510.89M | Mar 2021 | OUNZ vs IGLD |
Other ETFs from VanEck
The 10 most viewed VanEck ETFs shown here include SMH, GDX, NLR and span 12 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $74B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VanEck Semiconductor ETF | Semiconductors, Technology Equities | 90 | 57.98% | 73.62B | Dec 2011 | OUNZ vs SMH | |
| VanEck Gold Miners ETF | Gold, Precious Metals | 26 | -16.75% | 23.05B | May 2006 | OUNZ vs GDX | |
| VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF | Uranium, Alternative Energy Equities | 8 | -15.72% | 4.13B | Aug 2007 | OUNZ vs NLR | |
| VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF | Gold, Precious Metals | 26 | -18.57% | 7.11B | Nov 2009 | OUNZ vs GDXJ | |
| VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF | Large Cap Blend Equities | 32 | 3.89% | 11.77B | Apr 2012 | OUNZ vs MOAT | |
| VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF | Semiconductors, Technology Equities | 74 | 48.21% | 286.70M | Aug 2024 | OUNZ vs SMHX | |
| VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF | Rare Earth & Strategic Metals | 39 | -0.93% | 2.40B | Oct 2010 | OUNZ vs REMX | |
| VanEck BDC Income ETF | Financials Equities | 4 | -3.95% | 1.60B | Feb 2013 | OUNZ vs BIZD | |
| VanEck Bitcoin Trust | Cryptocurrency | 2 | -26.57% | 1.05B | Jan 2024 | OUNZ vs HODL | |
| VanEck IG Floating Rate ETF | Corporate Bonds, Ultrashort Bond | 99 | 2.46% | 2.89B | Apr 2011 | OUNZ vs FLTR |
Often Compared With OUNZ
Investors most often compare OUNZ with GLD, IAU, VOO. These 20 comparison targets span 9 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare OUNZ with Any Fund or Stock
Compare OUNZ with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair OUNZ with funds that move differently
VanEck Merk Gold ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to OUNZ.
Explore OUNZ Diversifiers