3. iShares Gold Trust The iShares Gold Trust (NYSEMKT: IAU) buys and holds physical gold, with the goal of tracking the gold spot price. But if you are worried about higher prices and lower purchasing power in 2021, you can use these three exchange-traded funds (ETFs) as a layer of protection. Hedge cautiously Mild inflation is likely in 2021, as the population returns to spending money on vacations, dining out, and mall shopping.