FXC vs. GLD
FXC (Invesco CurrencyShares® Canadian Dollar Trust) and GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - FXC is a Currency fund tracking the Canadian Dollar, while GLD is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FXC returned -0.15%/yr vs 11.05%/yr for GLD. Their 0.32 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. Both charge a 0.40% expense ratio.
Performance
FXC vs. GLD - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FXC achieves a -1.96% return, which is significantly higher than GLD's -6.25% return. Over the past 10 years, FXC has underperformed GLD with an annualized return of -0.15%, while GLD has yielded a comparatively higher 11.05% annualized return.
FXC
- 1D
- 0.06%
- 1M
- 1.05%
- 6M
- -2.81%
- YTD
- -1.96%
- 1Y
- -1.43%
- 3Y*
- -0.59%
- 5Y*
- -1.37%
- 10Y*
- -0.15%
- ALL TIME*
- -0.50%
GLD
- 1D
- -1.49%
- 1M
- -1.74%
- 6M
- -16.50%
- YTD
- -6.25%
- 1Y
- 20.20%
- 3Y*
- 27.22%
- 5Y*
- 16.95%
- 10Y*
- 11.05%
- ALL TIME*
- 10.28%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $2.79M | $2.89M | $1.65M | |
| $2.38B | $2.40B | $2.72B |
FXC vs. GLD - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FXC Invesco CurrencyShares® Canadian Dollar Trust | -1.96% | 5.24% | -5.96% | 4.35% | -6.44% | 0.22% | 1.92% | 5.94% | -7.54% | 6.72% |
GLD SPDR Gold Shares | -6.25% | 63.68% | 26.66% | 12.69% | -0.77% | -4.15% | 24.81% | 17.86% | -1.94% | 12.81% |
Correlation
The correlation between FXC and GLD is 0.33, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.33 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.36 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.36 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.34 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2006 | 0.32 |
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Return for Risk
FXC vs. GLD — Risk / Return Rank
FXC
GLD
FXC vs. GLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco CurrencyShares® Canadian Dollar Trust (FXC) 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.
| FXC | GLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.04 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.48 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.96 | 1.17 | -0.20 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.20 | 0.86 | -1.06 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.46 | 1.86 | -2.32 |
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Drawdowns
FXC vs. GLD - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FXC drawdown since its inception was -35.39%, smaller than the maximum GLD drawdown of -45.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FXC and GLD.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FXC | GLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -35.39% | -45.56% | +10.17% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -5.14% | -26.40% | +21.26% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -7.34% | -26.40% | +19.06% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -11.65% | -26.40% | +14.75% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -15.46% | -26.40% | +10.94% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -29.44% | -25.08% | -4.36% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -19.99% | -16.21% | -3.78% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.20% | 12.18% | -9.98% |
Volatility
FXC vs. GLD - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Invesco CurrencyShares® Canadian Dollar Trust (FXC) is 1.13%, while SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) has a volatility of 6.40%. This indicates that FXC 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
| FXC | GLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.13% | 6.40% | -5.27% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.97% | 23.52% | -20.55% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.31% | 28.13% | -23.82% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.25% | 18.49% | -12.24% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 6.59% | 16.14% | -9.55% |
FXC vs. GLD - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both FXC and GLD have an expense ratio of 0.40%.
Dividends
FXC vs. GLD - Dividend Comparison
FXC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.23%, while GLD has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FXC Invesco CurrencyShares® Canadian Dollar Trust | 0.19% | 0.55% | 2.23% | 2.01% | 0.31% | 0.00% | 0.19% | 0.75% | 0.42% | 0.02% | 0.00% | 0.02% |
GLD SPDR Gold Shares | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FXC and GLD have a correlation of 0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GLD has higher volatility (6.40%) compared to FXC (1.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FXC dropped -35.39% vs GLD's -45.56%.
On 10-year performance, GLD leads with 11.05% vs -0.15% for FXC. Both ETFs have the same 0.40% expense ratio. On volatility, FXC has been the lower-risk option at 1.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, GLD has performed better with a 11.05% return vs -0.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
FXC and GLD have the same expense ratio: 0.40% per year.
FXC has the higher dividend yield at 0.19%, compared with 0.00% for GLD.
FXC is categorized as Currency, while GLD is Gold. FXC tracks Canadian Dollar, while GLD tracks LBMA Gold Price PM. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and State Street.
GLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.81 vs -0.24), 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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