The Bees lineup of ETFs was started by Benchmark Asset Management Company which was a unique Indian AMC in the sense that it focused on ETFs at a time when the major Indian AMCs did not care a hoot.However ETFs in India are starting to catch on rapidly as Indian mutual funds under perform despite their very high expense ratios.Recognizing this trend of growing AUM of ETFs,Goldman Sachs acquired the still small Benchmark.With effect from 14th July 2011, both Benchmark Asset Management Company Private Limited and Benchmark Trustee Company Private Limited became a part of the Goldman Sachs group. Goldman Sachs is a leading global investment banking, securities and investment management firm that provides a wide range of services worldwide to a substantial and diversified client base that includes corporations, financial institutions, governments and high-net-worth individuals. It was founded in 1869 & is one of the oldest and largest investment banking firms.

The Axis Gold ETF started in 2010 under the NSE Symbol AXISGOLD.The Scheme endeavors to generate returns that are in line with the performance of gold, subject to Tracking Errors. The corpus of the Scheme isinvested in Gold Bullion of fineness – 995 parts per 1,000 (99.5%) or higher. Further, the Scheme may also invest in gold related instruments (including derivatives related to gold) as per SEBI guidelines.

HDFC Gold ETF along with Kotak and Gold Bees are one of the best gold etfs to invest in India and provide a sharp contrast to the worst ETFs like SBI and Axis Bank.HDFC Gold ETF has the added advantage of being one of the largest Fund Houses and is a subsidiary of one of the largest private banks with a great distribution strenght and reputation.It is also one of the few mutual fund ocmpanies which is offering a SIP on the Gold ETF unlike many others.Expense Ratio is also one of the lowest in the industry at 1% . All in all HDFC Gold ETF is a good buy if you are thinking of putting money in gold through ETF.