^NDX vs. XAUUSD=X
^NDX (NASDAQ 100 Index) is an index, while XAUUSD=X (Gold Spot Price US Dollar) is a currency. Over the past 10 years, ^NDX returned 21.10%/yr vs 12.76%/yr for XAUUSD=X. At a 0.04 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
^NDX vs. XAUUSD=X - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ^NDX achieves a 17.51% return, which is significantly higher than XAUUSD=X's -0.27% return. Over the past 10 years, ^NDX has outperformed XAUUSD=X with an annualized return of 21.10%, while XAUUSD=X has yielded a comparatively lower 12.76% annualized return.
^NDX
- 1D
- -0.99%
- 1M
- 2.33%
- YTD
- 17.51%
- 6M
- 20.38%
- 1Y
- 36.61%
- 3Y*
- 25.30%
- 5Y*
- 16.13%
- 10Y*
- 21.10%
XAUUSD=X
- 1D
- -0.47%
- 1M
- -5.59%
- YTD
- -0.27%
- 6M
- -0.62%
- 1Y
- 27.23%
- 3Y*
- 30.12%
- 5Y*
- 19.57%
- 10Y*
- 12.76%
^NDX vs. XAUUSD=X - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
^NDX NASDAQ 100 Index | 17.51% | 20.17% | 24.88% | 53.81% | -32.97% | 26.63% | 47.58% | 37.96% | -1.04% | 31.52% |
XAUUSD=X Gold Spot Price US Dollar | -0.27% | 64.75% | 27.24% | 13.14% | -0.25% | -3.50% | 24.55% | 18.77% | -1.71% | 13.14% |
Correlation
The correlation between ^NDX and XAUUSD=X is 0.21, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.21 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.12 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.09 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.05 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 11, 2007 | 0.04 |
The correlation between ^NDX and XAUUSD=X shifts across timeframes, from 0.04 (all time) to 0.21 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
^NDX vs. XAUUSD=X — Risk / Return Rank
^NDX
XAUUSD=X
^NDX vs. XAUUSD=X - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for NASDAQ 100 Index (^NDX) and Gold Spot Price US Dollar (XAUUSD=X). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| ^NDX | XAUUSD=X | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.18 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.47 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.37 | 1.19 | +0.18 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.03 | 0.86 | +2.17 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.25 | 2.44 | +8.80 |
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Drawdowns
^NDX vs. XAUUSD=X - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ^NDX drawdown since its inception was -82.90%, which is greater than XAUUSD=X's maximum drawdown of -44.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ^NDX and XAUUSD=X.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ^NDX | XAUUSD=X | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -82.90% | -44.69% | -38.21% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -12.12% | -24.85% | +12.73% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -22.93% | -24.85% | +1.92% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -35.56% | -24.85% | -10.71% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.56% | -24.85% | -10.71% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.23% | -20.44% | +17.21% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -24.61% | -16.46% | -8.15% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.26% | 9.74% | -6.48% |
Volatility
^NDX vs. XAUUSD=X - Volatility Comparison
NASDAQ 100 Index (^NDX) and Gold Spot Price US Dollar (XAUUSD=X) have volatilities of 8.20% and 7.90%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| ^NDX | XAUUSD=X | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.20% | 7.90% | +0.30% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.16% | 22.39% | -8.23% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 17.59% | 23.49% | -5.90% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 22.82% | 16.72% | +6.10% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.64% | 15.21% | +7.43% |
Frequently Asked Questions
^NDX and XAUUSD=X have a correlation of 0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
^NDX has higher volatility (8.20%) compared to XAUUSD=X (7.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ^NDX dropped -82.90% vs XAUUSD=X's -44.69%.
^NDX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.10 vs 0.91), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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