Gold ETFs Post Significant Gains Since Last Akshaya Tritiya, but is it Time to Rebalance Portfolios?

Gold Prices Surge Ahead of Akshaya Tritiya Festival

Gold prices have delivered stellar returns since the past year, driven by strong safe-haven demand amid persistent global geopolitical uncertainties. In India, physical demand for gold is expected to rise as the country celebrates the festival of Akshaya Tritiya on Sunday, April 19.

Since Akshaya Tritiya last year (April 30, 2025), MCX gold prices have rallied approximately 63%, generating substantial gains for the holders of the yellow metal. Gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have mirrored this strong performance, delivering impressive returns over the same period.

The following table highlights the top-performing gold ETFs since the last Akshaya Tritiya:

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According to Akshat Garg, Head of Research and Product at Choice Wealth, the surge has been driven by a combination of global safe-haven demand, geopolitical uncertainty, and strong domestic interest in gold, both in physical form and through ETFs.

The outlook remains positive for the next year, with Deveya Gaglani, Senior Research Analyst - Commodities, Axis Securities, expecting gold prices to deliver returns of 10-15% in the second half of 2026. Comex gold price is back above the $4,800 level, a positive sign for prices.

Gaglani advises investors to continue holding gold ETFs in their portfolios, while new investors can consider building exposure gradually through a staggered approach. Akshat Garg emphasizes that the decision to hold or book profits should be guided by an investor's asset allocation strategy. If gold has quietly become a much larger portion than originally intended, it may be prudent to book some gains and rebalance.

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