BVDAX vs. GLD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BVDAX (BlackRock 60/40 Target Allocation ETF VI Fund) and GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) are both funds - BVDAX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by BlackRock, while GLD is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM. Over the past 5 years, BVDAX returned 7.95%/yr vs 18.15%/yr for GLD. At a 0.19 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BVDAX charges 0.19%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for GLD.

Performance

BVDAX vs. GLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock 60/40 Target Allocation ETF VI Fund (BVDAX) and SPDR Gold Shares (GLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BVDAX achieves a 9.76% return, which is significantly higher than GLD's 2.92% return.

BVDAX

• 1D: 0.37%
• 1M: 5.09%
• YTD: 9.76%
• 6M: 10.21%
• 1Y: 21.98%
• 3Y*: 15.19%
• 5Y*: 7.95%
• 10Y*: —

GLD

• 1D: -0.99%
• 1M: -1.65%
• YTD: 2.92%
• 6M: 5.43%
• 1Y: 32.04%
• 3Y*: 31.09%
• 5Y*: 18.15%
• 10Y*: 13.12%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

BVDAX vs. GLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BVDAX BlackRock 60/40 Target Allocation ETF VI Fund	9.76%	15.69%	11.32%	15.88%	-14.80%	11.98%	14.68%	21.40%	-6.69%	13.51%
GLD SPDR Gold Shares	2.92%	63.68%	26.66%	12.69%	-0.77%	-4.15%	24.81%	17.86%	-1.94%	7.34%

Correlation

The correlation between BVDAX and GLD is 0.30, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.30
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.25
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.24
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2017	0.19

The correlation between BVDAX and GLD shifts across timeframes, from 0.19 (all time) to 0.30 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BVDAX vs. GLD — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

BVDAX

BVDAX Risk / Return Rank: 72
BVDAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
BVDAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
BVDAX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
BVDAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
BVDAX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

GLD

GLD Risk / Return Rank: 32
GLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
GLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
GLD Omega Ratio Rank: 35
GLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
GLD Martin Ratio Rank: 28

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

BVDAX vs. GLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock 60/40 Target Allocation ETF VI Fund (BVDAX) 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.

	BVDAX	GLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.49	1.21	+1.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.56	1.60	+1.96
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.24	+0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.18	1.68	+1.50
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.33	4.15	+10.17
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BVDAX vs. GLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BVDAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.49, which is higher than the GLD Sharpe Ratio of 1.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BVDAX and GLD, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BVDAX	GLD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.49	1.21	+1.28
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65	1.01	-0.36
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.83	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.78	0.60	+0.18

Drawdowns

BVDAX vs. GLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BVDAX drawdown since its inception was -22.25%, smaller than the maximum GLD drawdown of -45.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BVDAX and GLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	BVDAX	GLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.25%	-45.56%	+23.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.03%	-19.21%	+12.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.93%	-19.21%	+3.28%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.57%	-21.03%	+0.46%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-22.00%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-17.75%	+17.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.88%	-16.16%	+12.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.56%	7.73%	-6.17%

Volatility

BVDAX vs. GLD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for BlackRock 60/40 Target Allocation ETF VI Fund (BVDAX) is 3.21%, while SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) has a volatility of 5.51%. This indicates that BVDAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BVDAX	GLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.21%	5.51%	-2.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.45%	23.16%	-15.71%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.97%	26.61%	-17.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.27%	18.00%	-5.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.14%	15.95%	-3.81%

BVDAX vs. GLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

BVDAX has a 0.19% expense ratio, which is lower than GLD's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

BVDAX vs. GLD - Dividend Comparison

BVDAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.72%, while GLD has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
BVDAX BlackRock 60/40 Target Allocation ETF VI Fund	5.72%	6.28%	8.43%	2.01%	2.23%	9.51%	1.69%	2.94%	2.52%
GLD SPDR Gold Shares	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BVDAX and GLD in my portfolio?

BVDAX and GLD have a correlation of 0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BVDAX or GLD?

GLD has higher volatility (5.51%) compared to BVDAX (3.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BVDAX dropped -22.25% vs GLD's -45.56%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BVDAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.49 vs 1.21), 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.