FXY vs. GLD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FXY (Invesco CurrencyShares® Japanese Yen Trust) and GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - FXY is a Currency fund tracking the Japanese Yen, while GLD is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FXY returned -4.49%/yr vs 13.12%/yr for GLD. At a 0.35 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.40% expense ratio.

Performance

FXY vs. GLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco CurrencyShares® Japanese Yen Trust (FXY) 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, FXY achieves a -2.28% return, which is significantly lower than GLD's 2.92% return. Over the past 10 years, FXY has underperformed GLD with an annualized return of -4.49%, while GLD has yielded a comparatively higher 13.12% annualized return.

FXY

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: -1.89%
• YTD: -2.28%
• 6M: -3.30%
• 1Y: -10.40%
• 3Y*: -4.81%
• 5Y*: -7.79%
• 10Y*: -4.49%

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)

FXY vs. GLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FXY Invesco CurrencyShares® Japanese Yen Trust	-2.28%	0.09%	-10.93%	-7.44%	-12.75%	-10.90%	4.61%	0.37%	2.31%	3.17%
GLD SPDR Gold Shares	2.92%	63.68%	26.66%	12.69%	-0.77%	-4.15%	24.81%	17.86%	-1.94%	12.81%

Correlation

The correlation between FXY and GLD is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.28
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.31
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.40
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 14, 2007	0.35

The correlation between FXY and GLD shifts across timeframes, from 0.28 (1 year) to 0.45 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FXY vs. GLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

FXY

FXY Risk / Return Rank: 1
FXY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
FXY Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
FXY Omega Ratio Rank: 1
FXY Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
FXY Martin Ratio Rank: 2

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.

FXY vs. GLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco CurrencyShares® Japanese Yen Trust (FXY) 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.

	FXY	GLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-1.25	1.21	-2.46
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-1.85	1.60	-3.45
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.80	1.24	-0.44
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.94	1.68	-2.61
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-1.39	4.15	-5.54
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FXY vs. GLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FXY Sharpe Ratio is -1.25, which is lower than the GLD Sharpe Ratio of 1.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FXY 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

	FXY	GLD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-1.25	1.21	-2.46
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.76	1.01	-1.78
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.48	0.83	-1.31
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.18	0.60	-0.78

Drawdowns

FXY vs. GLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FXY drawdown since its inception was -56.03%, which is greater than GLD's maximum drawdown of -45.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FXY and GLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	FXY	GLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.03%	-45.56%	-10.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.16%	-19.21%	+8.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.12%	-19.21%	+4.09%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.72%	-21.03%	-12.69%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.84%	-22.00%	-18.84%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-55.93%	-17.75%	-38.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-27.74%	-16.16%	-11.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.50%	7.73%	-0.23%

Volatility

FXY vs. GLD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Invesco CurrencyShares® Japanese Yen Trust (FXY) is 1.19%, while SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) has a volatility of 5.51%. This indicates that FXY 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

	FXY	GLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.19%	5.51%	-4.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.75%	23.16%	-17.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.38%	26.61%	-18.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.24%	18.00%	-7.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.33%	15.95%	-6.62%

FXY vs. GLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both FXY and GLD have an expense ratio of 0.40%.

Dividends

FXY vs. GLD - Dividend Comparison

Neither FXY nor GLD has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FXY and GLD in my portfolio?

FXY and GLD have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FXY or GLD?

GLD has higher volatility (5.51%) compared to FXY (1.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FXY dropped -56.03% vs GLD's -45.56%.

Which ETF is better, FXY or GLD?

On 10-year performance, GLD leads with 13.12% vs -4.49% for FXY. Both ETFs have the same 0.40% expense ratio. On volatility, FXY has been the lower-risk option at 1.19%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FXY or GLD?

Over the 10-year period, GLD has performed better with a 13.12% return vs -4.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FXY or GLD?

FXY and GLD have the same expense ratio: 0.40% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FXY or GLD?

FXY and GLD have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between FXY and GLD?

FXY is categorized as Currency, while GLD is Gold. FXY tracks Japanese Yen, while GLD tracks LBMA Gold Price PM. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and State Street.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.21 vs -1.25), 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.