Neils Christensen has a diploma in journalism from Lethbridge College and has more than a decade of reporting experience working for news organizations throughout Canada. His experiences include covering territorial and federal politics in Nunavut, Canada.
Since the start of Operation Epic Fury at the end of February, Brent crude oil prices have risen as high as $150 a barrel as the Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed by Iran. Panic over supply is driving energy prices higher, and consumers are experiencing it at the pump with soaring gasoline prices.
Gold posted an 11.4% decline in March 2026, yet remains in a long-term bullish trend with a potential bottom at $4,100 per ounce. Despite recent volatility, gold achieved its 10th consecutive quarterly record high in Q1 2026, closing 7.41% above Q4 2025. Central bank accumulation, de-dollarization, and gold's unique financial role continue to underpin the bullish thesis for gold and gold ETFs.
| Name | Quantity | Cost | Value | Profit ($) | Gain (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KW Kevin Warman INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corp. /VA/ /ADV | 4,926 | $209,306 | $196,399.62 | -$12,906.38 | -6.17% |
| JD Jim Dushek HARBOUR INVESTMENTS Inc. | 4,122 | $103,527.92 | $163,890.72 | $60,362.8 | 58.31% |
| RS Ramu Singh CALTON & ASSOCIATES Inc. | 5,404 | $231,905.52 | $215,349.4 | -$16,556.12 | -7.14% |
| YA Yinka Akinsola Blue Trust Inc. | 8,077 | $239,239.19 | $320,333.82 | $81,094.63 | 33.9% |
| RZ Richard Zito Flynn Zito Capital Management LLC | 14,636 | $633,808.28 | $581,268.74 | -$52,539.54 | -8.29% |
| ARCA Exchange | US Country |
BAR is an investment vehicle that provides its shareholders direct exposure to physical gold. By investing in gold stored in a secure vault in London, the fund aligns closely with the current spot price of gold. The fund's structure as a grantor trust ensures a high level of security for investors, prohibiting the trustees from lending out the gold bars. This setup aims to offer an investment experience that closely mimics owning physical gold without the complexities of handling and storing the metal. It competes directly with similar funds like GLD and IAU, providing an alternative for investors looking to include gold in their portfolios. Given its nature, BAR is regarded as a collectible for tax purposes which could have significant implications for investors regarding tax liabilities, especially on long-term gains.
BAR enables investors to have direct exposure to physical gold by investing their capital in gold bars that are securely stored in a vault in London. This investment approach seeks to mirror the performance of the spot price of gold, making it an appealing option for those looking to hedge against inflation or diversify their investment portfolios.
The grantor trust structure of BAR is a crucial feature that offers additional security to investors. Under this structure, the trustees are prohibited from lending out the gold bars, ensuring that the gold remains securely stored in the vault. This setup provides investors with the peace of mind that their investment is safeguarded.
BAR provides an investment experience that is on par with established competitors like GLD and IAU, offering similar exposure to physical gold. Investors considering BAR should evaluate factors such as the fund issuer, the trust custodian, the location of the vault, and all-in trading costs to make an informed decision on how it compares to other available options.
As an investment in physical gold, BAR is considered a collectible under tax regulations, which has significant implications for tax liabilities, particularly in the case of long-term gains. Investors must be aware of these tax considerations when including BAR in their investment portfolio to understand the potential tax implications fully.