| Period | Gold ETF (0828EA) | Gold Spot (MYR) | Fixed Deposit | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Month | +3.2% | +3.1% | +0.3% | Gold Wins |
| 3 Months | +8.4% | +8.2% | +0.9% | Gold Wins |
| 6 Months | +14.1% | +14.5% | +1.7% | Gold Wins |
| 1 Year | +38.2% | +39.0% | +3.4% | Gold Wins |
| 3 Years | +62.5% | +64.1% | +10.3% | Gold Wins |
| Since Launch (2017) | +103.8% | +108.2% | +26.0% | Gold Wins |
All performance figures above are approximate and for illustrative purposes only. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Always verify current prices and NAV at Bursa Malaysia or the fund manager's website before making any investment decision.
What Is a Gold ETF?
A Gold ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund) is an investment fund that tracks the price of gold. When you buy units of a Gold ETF on Bursa Malaysia, you are essentially buying exposure to the price of gold — without needing to store physical gold bars or coins yourself.
In Malaysia, there is currently one Gold ETF listed on Bursa Malaysia: the TradePlus Shariah Gold Tracker (stock code: 0828EA). It is also the world's first Shariah-compliant physically-backed gold ETF, making it uniquely suitable for Muslim investors in Malaysia.
The ETF holds physical gold bullion in a Singapore vault meeting LBMA (London Bullion Market Association) standards, and each unit of the ETF represents a fractional claim on that gold. The price of the ETF moves in near-perfect sync with the international gold price converted to Malaysian Ringgit.
TradePlus Shariah Gold Tracker was the world's first Shariah-compliant, physically-backed gold ETF when it launched on Bursa Malaysia in July 2017. It has been certified by BIMB Investment Bank's Shariah Committee.
Gold ETF vs Physical Gold in Malaysia
Malaysian investors have several ways to invest in gold — physical gold (jewellery, coins, gold bars), gold savings accounts (like Maybank and Public Bank gold accounts), and gold ETFs on Bursa. Here is how they compare:
- Buy & sell instantly on Bursa during market hours
- Low entry — from RM 100 (100 units)
- No storage cost, no theft risk
- Shariah certified by BIMB
- Transparent pricing — real-time on Bursa
- Can be held in CDS account
- Annual fee: ~0.76% TER (mgmt 0.50% + trustee + custody)
- No physical gold delivered
- Requires a trading account + CDS
- You own tangible gold
- No trading account needed
- Bank gold accounts are simple
- Bank gold accounts have small spreads
- Storage and insurance costs
- Jewellery has high making charges
- Less liquid than ETF
- Not all banks offer Shariah-certified accounts
- Cannot trade during price spikes easily
Why Malaysian Investors Buy Gold ETFs
1. Ringgit Weakness Hedge
Gold is priced in USD globally. When the Malaysian Ringgit weakens against the US Dollar — as it has done significantly in recent years — the MYR value of your gold investment rises even if the USD gold price stays flat. This makes gold a natural currency hedge for Malaysians.
2. Portfolio Diversification
Gold has a historically low correlation with equities. When the stock market falls, gold often holds its value or rises. Adding even 5–10% gold exposure to a portfolio of equities reduces overall volatility.
3. Inflation Protection
Over long periods, gold has maintained its purchasing power. As living costs rise in Malaysia, gold preserves wealth in a way that Fixed Deposits — with rates around 3.4% — may not fully achieve during high inflation periods.
4. Shariah Compliance
For Muslim investors, gold is one of the most clearly permissible investments under Islamic finance principles. The TradePlus Shariah Gold Tracker removes any doubt by being certified Shariah-compliant, backed by physical gold (no derivatives or leverage), making it a straightforward halal investment.
How to Buy Gold ETF in Malaysia
You can buy the TradePlus Shariah Gold Tracker (0828EA) through any broker with access to Bursa Malaysia. Here is the step-by-step process.
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Open a CDS AccountA Central Depository System (CDS) account is required to hold shares on Bursa Malaysia. You open this through a licensed stockbroker — it is free and takes about 1–3 business days. Most Malaysians open this together with their trading account.
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Choose a Trading PlatformPopular options include Rakuten Trade, moomoo Malaysia, Maybank Investment Bank (MayBroker), CIMB Invest, and Tiger Brokers. Compare brokerage fees — most charge between 0.1% and 0.42% per trade for Bursa ETFs.
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Fund Your AccountTransfer money from your bank account to your trading account. Minimum needed is approximately RM 120 (100 units × current price + brokerage fee). The whole process takes minutes via online banking.
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Search for Stock Code 0828EAIn your trading platform, search for "0828EA" or "TRADEPLUS" or "GOLD ETF". The full name is TradePlus Shariah Gold Tracker ETF. Confirm you have the right fund before buying.
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Place Your OrderEnter the number of units (minimum 100, in multiples of 100) and choose your order type. A Market Order buys at the current asking price. A Limit Order lets you set the maximum price you're willing to pay — useful if you want to buy during a dip.
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Monitor Your InvestmentYour units will appear in your CDS account after settlement (T+2, meaning 2 business days after your trade). You can track performance on your broker app, on Bursa Malaysia's website, or right here on MyETF.
Unfortunately, the TradePlus Shariah Gold Tracker (0828EA) is not currently on the approved EPF i-Invest list. EPF i-Invest is limited to specific equity ETFs. You will need to use your own cash savings to invest in the gold ETF.
Fees and Costs
Understanding what you pay is critical. Here is a complete breakdown of all costs involved in investing in the Gold ETF Malaysia:
| Fee Type | Amount | Who Charges It | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Management Fee | 0.50% p.a. | AHAM Asset Management Berhad | Deducted from fund NAV daily |
| Trustee Fee | 0.06% p.a. | TMF Trustees Malaysia Berhad | Included in TER |
| Gold Custody Fee | ~0.20% p.a. | Singapore vault (LBMA standard) | Covers secure physical storage of gold bullion |
| Total Expense Ratio (TER) | ~0.76% p.a. | All-in | You never pay this directly — it comes off the fund's return |
| Brokerage Commission | 0.10%–0.42% | Your broker | Charged on each buy and sell trade |
| Stamp Duty | RM 1 per RM 1,000 | Government | 0.1%, capped at RM 200 per contract |
| Creation/Redemption Fee | Up to 0.05% | Fund manager | Only for institutional creation/redemption, not retail |
Risks to Understand
Gold Price Volatility
Gold can be volatile in the short term. In 2022, gold fell approximately 12% in USD terms. However, the MYR/USD exchange rate softened the blow for Malaysian investors, highlighting why currency dynamics matter when investing in gold.
Currency Risk (Both Ways)
Because gold is priced globally in USD, a strengthening Ringgit would reduce your gold ETF returns in MYR terms, even if the USD gold price rises. This cuts both ways — it has historically worked in favour of Malaysian investors as the Ringgit has generally weakened long-term, but it is a risk worth understanding.
Tracking Difference
The ETF aims to track physical gold prices but there will always be a small tracking difference due to management fees and operational costs. Historically, the TradePlus Gold ETF has tracked gold prices very closely, with tracking difference typically within 0.5% annually.
Liquidity Risk
The Gold ETF on Bursa Malaysia has lower daily trading volume compared to equity ETFs. This means you might not always be able to buy or sell at your desired price, especially for large orders. For smaller retail investors (RM 1,000–RM 50,000), this is rarely a practical issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from Malaysian investors about Gold ETFs.