Samsung KODEX Gold Futures Achieves 27.7% Return Since Start of Year

As the preference for safe-haven assets continues, gold futures exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are attracting attention from investors.

On April 24, Samsung Asset Management announced that the 'KODEX Gold Futures (H) ETF' has achieved a return of 27.7% since the beginning of the year. The one-month return also ranked first at 11.2%, while the one-year return reached 39.5% and the three-year return was 54.8%.

KODEX Gold Futures (H) tracks the S&P GSCI Gold Index Total Return, a gold futures index listed on the New York Mercantile Exchange in the United States. This index is considered a global standard for measuring commodity investment performance and is regarded as highly reliable. In addition, even if gold prices rise, domestic investors' actual returns may be lower if the value of the dollar falls. This ETF is designed to best reflect the strong performance of international gold futures prices by minimizing the impact of currency depreciation, such as a weak dollar, through a currency hedging strategy.

Recently, the domestic gold price experienced a sudden surge in the so-called 'Kimchi Premium,' where prices were higher than international rates, but this premium has since subsided. In fact, on February 14, the KRX gold spot price was traded at more than 22% higher than the gold price on the COMEX (Commodity Exchange) in the United States. Reflecting market concerns, this resulted in negative returns. In contrast, KODEX Gold Futures (H) rose by 11.4% during the same period, mirroring international price trends.

As global economic uncertainty increases, the preference for safe-haven assets persists, with global gold prices continuously reaching all-time highs and maintaining a steady upward trend.

Kim Sunhwa, Head of ETF Management Team 2 at Samsung Asset Management, stated, "With uncertainty expanding due to global tariff wars and the ongoing weakening of the US dollar, demand for gold as a safe-haven asset is expected to continue in the future."

She added, "By utilizing KODEX Gold Futures (H) in ISA and pension savings accounts, investors can diversify their portfolios and also expect to enhance returns over a significant period, as this ETF tracks international gold prices with minimal currency impact and without concerns about the Kimchi Premium."