I don't understand why people whose main objective is a high return buy physical metals as oppose to stocks, or a basket of stocks.

GLD is up $20 or about 17%, Gold itself is up 25% or $300 per oz. While GDX which is a gold company ETF as opposed to physical gold is up 45% year to date! Many gold stocks in my portfolio have doubled or more this year because their profits increase with gold times a multiplier. Another option is to buy leveraged options.