SGB vs Gold ETF (GoldBees)
Investment Method:
Gold ETF: Purchased through Demat & Trading Account.
SGB: Purchased through Demat & Trading Account, Banks, or Post Office.
Minimum Investment:
Gold ETF: As low as ₹50-100.
SGB: Minimum 1 gram (Approx. ₹6000 as of now).
Lock-in Period:
Gold ETF: No lock-in period.
SGB: 8 years lock-in period, but can be sold anytime on the secondary market.
Liquidity:
Gold ETF: Highly liquid, traded on stock exchanges.
SGB: Less liquid compared to Gold ETFs but sufficiently liquid, traded on stock exchanges.
Taxation:
Gold ETF: Taxed as per income tax slab.
SGB: No tax if held until maturity (8 years); Interest income taxable as per investor's tax bracket.
Interest Income:
Gold ETF: Does not offer interest income.
SGB: Offers 2.5% annual interest, taxable as per investor's tax bracket.
Sovereign Guarantee:
Gold ETF: No sovereign guarantee.
SGB: Comes with a sovereign guarantee.