FLMX vs. GLD
FLMX (Franklin FTSE Mexico ETF) and GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - FLMX is a Latin America Equities fund tracking the FTSE Mexico RIC Capped Index, while GLD is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FLMX returned 12.58%/yr vs 17.84%/yr for GLD. At a 0.21 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FLMX charges 0.19%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for GLD.
Performance
FLMX vs. GLD - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FLMX achieves a 9.45% return, which is significantly higher than GLD's -4.79% return.
FLMX
- 1D
- -1.54%
- 1M
- -2.53%
- YTD
- 9.45%
- 6M
- 6.90%
- 1Y
- 33.21%
- 3Y*
- 10.20%
- 5Y*
- 12.58%
- 10Y*
- —
GLD
- 1D
- -1.89%
- 1M
- -8.82%
- YTD
- -4.79%
- 6M
- -8.78%
- 1Y
- 21.29%
- 3Y*
- 28.41%
- 5Y*
- 17.84%
- 10Y*
- 11.59%
FLMX vs. GLD - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FLMX Franklin FTSE Mexico ETF | 9.45% | 53.62% | -28.45% | 39.35% | 2.40% | 19.58% | -3.50% | 12.13% | -13.32% | -0.96% |
GLD SPDR Gold Shares | -4.79% | 63.68% | 26.66% | 12.69% | -0.77% | -4.15% | 24.81% | 17.86% | -1.94% | 2.51% |
Correlation
The correlation between FLMX and GLD is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.40 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.30 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.27 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 6, 2017 | 0.21 |
The correlation between FLMX and GLD shifts across timeframes, from 0.21 (all time) to 0.40 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
FLMX vs. GLD — Risk / Return Rank
FLMX
GLD
FLMX vs. GLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin FTSE Mexico ETF (FLMX) 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.
| FLMX | GLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.77 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.07 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.27 | 1.17 | +0.11 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.35 | 0.87 | +1.48 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.16 | 2.35 | +5.82 |
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Drawdowns
FLMX vs. GLD - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FLMX drawdown since its inception was -50.05%, which is greater than GLD's maximum drawdown of -45.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FLMX and GLD.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FLMX | GLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -50.05% | -45.56% | -4.49% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.18% | -24.46% | +10.28% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -31.72% | -24.46% | -7.26% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -31.72% | -24.46% | -7.26% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -24.46% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -6.97% | -23.91% | +16.94% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -12.00% | -16.17% | +4.17% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.08% | 9.10% | -5.02% |
Volatility
FLMX vs. GLD - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Franklin FTSE Mexico ETF (FLMX) is 6.82%, while SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) has a volatility of 8.18%. This indicates that FLMX 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.
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Volatility by Period
| FLMX | GLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.82% | 8.18% | -1.36% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 18.06% | 24.38% | -6.32% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 21.57% | 27.57% | -6.00% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 22.08% | 18.24% | +3.84% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 24.67% | 16.04% | +8.63% |
FLMX vs. GLD - Expense Ratio Comparison
FLMX has a 0.19% expense ratio, which is lower than GLD's 0.40% expense ratio.
Dividends
FLMX vs. GLD - Dividend Comparison
FLMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.89%, while GLD has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FLMX Franklin FTSE Mexico ETF | 1.89% | 3.99% | 3.31% | 2.90% | 4.22% | 3.15% | 1.48% | 2.95% | 2.51% | 0.31% |
GLD SPDR Gold Shares | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FLMX and GLD have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GLD has higher volatility (8.18%) compared to FLMX (6.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FLMX dropped -50.05% vs GLD's -45.56%.
On 5-year performance, GLD leads with 17.84% vs 12.58% for FLMX. On fees, FLMX is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, FLMX has been the lower-risk option at 6.82%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, GLD has performed better with a 17.84% return vs 12.58%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
FLMX is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for GLD.
FLMX has the higher dividend yield at 1.89%, compared with 0.00% for GLD.
FLMX is categorized as Latin America Equities, while GLD is Gold. FLMX tracks FTSE Mexico RIC Capped Index, while GLD tracks LBMA Gold Price PM. They also come from different issuers: Franklin Templeton and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.19% for FLMX and 0.40% for GLD.
FLMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.55 vs 0.78), 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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