Gold and silver ETF volumes surge. What you should know

Akshaya Tritiya, one of India's most auspicious days for buying gold, has long been a magnet for jewellers. But this festive day is increasingly making its presence felt in financial markets, too. More Indian investors are now turning to exchange-traded funds (ETFs), particularly gold and silver, as a modern alternative to owning the physical metals. The latest numbers underscore this shift: total turnover in gold and silver ETFs on Akshaya Tritiya (April 30, 2025) hit Rs 644 crore, almost three times last year's level of Rs 224 crore. Gold ETFs saw their turnover rise to Rs 331 crore (from Rs 130 crore last year), while silver ETFs surged to Rs 313 crore (from Rs 95 crore), marking an even higher jump. These numbers tell a broader story about changing investor habits and the growing role of ETFs in the portfolios of Indian investors. What's driving this surge? Several key trends are fuelling this rise in ETF activity: Convenience over tradition: While gold jewellery still holds cultural value, many investors now want price exposure without the baggage of storage, insurance or purity concerns. Gold and silver ETFs offer precisely that, allowing

This article was originally published on May 16, 2025.