BABA vs. GLD
BABA (Alibaba Group Holding Limited) is a stock, while GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) is Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM. Over the past 10 years, BABA returned 4.42%/yr vs 12.15%/yr for GLD. At a 0.04 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
BABA vs. GLD - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BABA achieves a -22.32% return, which is significantly lower than GLD's -2.47% return. Over the past 10 years, BABA has underperformed GLD with an annualized return of 4.42%, while GLD has yielded a comparatively higher 12.15% annualized return.
BABA
- 1D
- 0.12%
- 1M
- -21.91%
- YTD
- -22.32%
- 6M
- -26.87%
- 1Y
- -2.37%
- 3Y*
- 11.06%
- 5Y*
- -10.74%
- 10Y*
- 4.42%
GLD
- 1D
- 0.06%
- 1M
- -10.21%
- YTD
- -2.47%
- 6M
- -2.25%
- 1Y
- 23.81%
- 3Y*
- 28.89%
- 5Y*
- 17.08%
- 10Y*
- 12.15%
BABA vs. GLD - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BABA Alibaba Group Holding Limited | -22.32% | 75.80% | 11.77% | -10.83% | -25.84% | -48.96% | 9.73% | 54.74% | -20.51% | 96.37% |
GLD SPDR Gold Shares | -2.47% | 63.68% | 26.66% | 12.69% | -0.77% | -4.15% | 24.81% | 17.86% | -1.94% | 12.81% |
Correlation
The correlation between BABA and GLD is 0.20, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.20 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.16 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.14 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.08 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 19, 2014 | 0.04 |
The correlation between BABA and GLD shifts across timeframes, from 0.04 (all time) to 0.20 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
BABA vs. GLD — Risk / Return Rank
BABA
GLD
BABA vs. GLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alibaba Group Holding Limited (BABA) and SPDR Gold Shares (GLD). 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.
| BABA | GLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.93 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.97 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.03 | 1.18 | -0.16 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.06 | 0.98 | -1.04 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.12 | 2.81 | -2.93 |
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Drawdowns
BABA vs. GLD - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BABA drawdown since its inception was -80.09%, which is greater than GLD's maximum drawdown of -45.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BABA and GLD.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BABA | GLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -80.09% | -45.56% | -34.53% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -39.94% | -24.46% | -15.48% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -39.94% | -24.46% | -15.48% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -72.48% | -24.46% | -48.02% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -80.09% | -24.46% | -55.63% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -62.20% | -22.05% | -40.15% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -37.56% | -16.16% | -21.40% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 19.58% | 8.49% | +11.09% |
Volatility
BABA vs. GLD - Volatility Comparison
Alibaba Group Holding Limited (BABA) has a higher volatility of 10.07% compared to SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) at 7.79%. This indicates that BABA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| BABA | GLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 10.07% | 7.79% | +2.28% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 29.24% | 24.10% | +5.14% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 43.83% | 27.37% | +16.46% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 51.40% | 18.22% | +33.18% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 43.40% | 16.08% | +27.32% |
Dividends
BABA vs. GLD - Dividend Comparison
BABA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.93%, while GLD has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
BABA Alibaba Group Holding Limited | 0.93% | 1.36% | 1.96% | 1.29% |
GLD SPDR Gold Shares | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
BABA and GLD have a correlation of 0.20, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
BABA has higher volatility (10.07%) compared to GLD (7.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BABA dropped -80.09% vs GLD's -45.56%.
GLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.87 vs -0.05), 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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