BAR vs. GLD
Compare and contrast key facts about GraniteShares Gold Trust (BAR) and SPDR Gold Shares (GLD).
BAR and GLD are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. BAR is a passively managed fund by GraniteShares that tracks the performance of the LBMA Gold Price PM ($/ozt). It was launched on Aug 31, 2017. GLD is a passively managed fund by State Street that tracks the performance of the LBMA Gold Price PM. It was launched on Nov 18, 2004. Both BAR and GLD are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.
Performance
BAR vs. GLD - Performance Comparison
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BAR vs. GLD - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BAR GraniteShares Gold Trust | 8.57% | 64.12% | 26.97% | 12.96% | -0.55% | -3.92% | 25.02% | 18.16% | -1.87% | -1.15% |
GLD SPDR Gold Shares | 8.57% | 63.68% | 26.66% | 12.69% | -0.77% | -4.15% | 24.81% | 17.86% | -1.94% | -1.72% |
Returns By Period
As of year-to-date, both investments have demonstrated similar returns, with BAR at 8.57% and GLD at 8.57%.
BAR
- 1D
- 3.76%
- 1M
- -11.05%
- YTD
- 8.57%
- 6M
- 21.20%
- 1Y
- 49.58%
- 3Y*
- 33.22%
- 5Y*
- 21.84%
- 10Y*
- —
GLD
- 1D
- 3.79%
- 1M
- -11.05%
- YTD
- 8.57%
- 6M
- 21.05%
- 1Y
- 49.33%
- 3Y*
- 32.92%
- 5Y*
- 21.58%
- 10Y*
- 13.92%
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BAR vs. GLD - Expense Ratio Comparison
BAR has a 0.17% expense ratio, which is lower than GLD's 0.40% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
BAR vs. GLD — Risk / Return Rank
BAR
GLD
BAR vs. GLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for GraniteShares Gold Trust (BAR) 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.
| BAR | GLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.80 | 1.79 | +0.02 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 2.24 | 2.21 | +0.02 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.33 | 1.33 | 0.00 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.70 | 2.68 | +0.02 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.99 | 9.90 | +0.08 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| BAR | GLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.80 | 1.79 | +0.02 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 1.24 | 1.22 | +0.02 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.88 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.97 | 0.62 | +0.35 |
Correlation
The correlation between BAR and GLD is 0.99, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Dividends
BAR vs. GLD - Dividend Comparison
Neither BAR nor GLD has paid dividends to shareholders.
Drawdowns
BAR vs. GLD - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BAR drawdown since its inception was -21.53%, smaller than the maximum GLD drawdown of -45.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BAR and GLD.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BAR | GLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -21.53% | -45.56% | +24.03% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -19.19% | -19.21% | +0.02% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -20.91% | -21.03% | +0.12% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -22.00% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -13.22% | -13.23% | +0.01% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.29% | -16.17% | +9.88% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.19% | 5.20% | -0.01% |
Volatility
BAR vs. GLD - Volatility Comparison
GraniteShares Gold Trust (BAR) and SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) have volatilities of 11.01% and 11.06%, 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
| BAR | GLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 11.01% | 11.06% | -0.05% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 24.13% | 24.30% | -0.17% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 27.63% | 27.80% | -0.17% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.65% | 17.74% | -0.09% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.30% | 15.87% | +0.43% |