A List of Gold ETFs to Diversify Your Portfolio

Gold prices have been stuck in a tight trading range for weeks, struggling to consistently trade above the key $1,300 an ounce level. Today (Friday), they fell under $1,250 an ounce to a 16-week low.

As the yellow metal pushes to climb past the mark, our list of gold ETFs provides options to investors who want to diversify their portfolio, but still target the gold sector.

List of Gold ETFs

*All stock research dated May 22, 2014.

1. SPDR Gold Shares (NYSE Arca: GLD)

Launched in November 2004, this fund's objective is to mirror the performance of the price of gold bullion. GLD is structured as a trust, so administrative costs and fees are considered in the performance objective.

GLD has total net assets of $31.9 million, total outstanding shares of 262.1 million, and a market capitalization of $31.7 billion. It has a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.52.

Over the past 52 weeks, share price ranged from $114.46 to $137.62; shares traded at $124.67 at market close today. This fund has gained 7.12% in 2014, even though its performance over the past three months has shown a decrease of 2.50% and a decline of 6.39% from one year ago.

2. ProShares Ultra Gold (NYSE Arca: UGL)

This ETF, formed in December 2008, seeks daily investment results that correspond to two times the daily performance of gold bullion as measured by the U.S. dollar p.m. fixing price for delivery in London. Note that the London Bullion Market Association's (LMBA) Gold Pool sets or fixes the price of gold two times per day, at 10:30 GMT and at 15:00 GMT (10:00 a.m. ET) - the ProShares is benchmarked to the 15:00 GMT, or the London Gold p.m. price.

UGL has net assets of $134.8 million and a market cap of $126.54 million. Over the past 52 weeks, ETF share price has ranged from $40.09 to $59.90. At market close today, shares were trading at $47.00, up 13.91% in 2014.

3. ETFS Asian Gold Trust (NYSE Arca: AGOL)

Launched in January 2011, ETFS Asian Gold Trust was incorporated in the United States with a goal of mirroring the price of gold bullion, minus the expenses of the Trust's operations. Its aim is to give investors a way to invest in gold in a cost-effective and convenient way.

The fund has total assets of $57.67 million, and AGOL stock has a 52-week range of $116.54 to $140.75. Shares were up 8.89% year to date, trading at $127.69 today.

4. AdvisorShares Trust (NYSE Arca: GEUR)

GEUR is new to the scene, founded in February 2014. The ETF seeks to provide positive returns by utilizing the European Union's (EU) euro to invest its assets in the gold market.

So far, GEUR is down 2.03% over its limited lifetime to $12.60. The Trust has total assets of $1.26 million, with a net asset value of 12.8131.

5. iShares Gold Trust (NYSE Arca: IAU)

Launched in 2005, ETF iShares Gold Trust rounds out our list of gold ETFs. IAU seeks to reflect the performance of the price of gold. It issues shares representing fractional undivided beneficial interests in its net assets, and the assets of the Trust consist primarily of gold held by the custodian on behalf of the Trust.

IAU has a huge market cap of $6.64 billion, with 554 million outstanding shares. Over the past 52 weeks, the Trust ranged from a share price of $11.51 to $13.83. At market close today, shares traded at $12.54, with a 7.36% gain so far in 2014.

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