GBSS.L vs. XGLS.L

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GBSS.L (Gold Bullion Securities) and XGLS.L (Xtrackers Physical Gold GBP Hedged ETC) are both Precious Metals funds - GBSS.L tracks the Gold while XGLS.L tracks the Gold (GBP Hedged). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GBSS.L returned 14.02%/yr vs 11.69%/yr for XGLS.L. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. GBSS.L charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for XGLS.L.

Performance

GBSS.L vs. XGLS.L - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a £10,000 investment in Gold Bullion Securities (GBSS.L) and Xtrackers Physical Gold GBP Hedged ETC (XGLS.L). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GBSS.L achieves a 3.09% return, which is significantly higher than XGLS.L's 2.29% return. Over the past 10 years, GBSS.L has outperformed XGLS.L with an annualized return of 14.02%, while XGLS.L has yielded a comparatively lower 11.69% annualized return.

GBSS.L

• 1D: -1.16%
• 1M: -2.90%
• YTD: 3.09%
• 6M: 4.31%
• 1Y: 32.90%
• 3Y*: 27.55%
• 5Y*: 19.36%
• 10Y*: 14.02%

XGLS.L

• 1D: -1.39%
• 1M: -4.31%
• YTD: 2.29%
• 6M: 4.33%
• 1Y: 30.74%
• 3Y*: 29.56%
• 5Y*: 16.90%
• 10Y*: 11.69%

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

GBSS.L vs. XGLS.L - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GBSS.L Gold Bullion Securities	3.09%	53.13%	27.82%	6.96%	11.51%	-3.12%	19.73%	14.42%	4.17%	1.53%
XGLS.L Xtrackers Physical Gold GBP Hedged ETC	2.29%	63.07%	24.85%	11.63%	-1.63%	-4.91%	22.11%	15.69%	-3.62%	9.65%

Correlation

The correlation between GBSS.L and XGLS.L is 0.93, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 5, 2011	0.76

The correlation between GBSS.L and XGLS.L shifts across timeframes, from 0.76 (all time) to 0.93 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

GBSS.L vs. XGLS.L — Risk / Return Rank

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

GBSS.L

GBSS.L Risk / Return Rank: 38
GBSS.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
GBSS.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
GBSS.L Omega Ratio Rank: 45
GBSS.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
GBSS.L Martin Ratio Rank: 33

XGLS.L

XGLS.L Risk / Return Rank: 34
XGLS.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
XGLS.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
XGLS.L Omega Ratio Rank: 37
XGLS.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
XGLS.L Martin Ratio Rank: 31

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.

GBSS.L vs. XGLS.L - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Gold Bullion Securities (GBSS.L) and Xtrackers Physical Gold GBP Hedged ETC (XGLS.L). 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.

	GBSS.L	XGLS.L	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.43	1.24	+0.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.85	1.65	+0.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.24	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.83	1.68	+0.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.96	4.44	+0.52
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GBSS.L vs. XGLS.L - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GBSS.L Sharpe Ratio is 1.43, which is comparable to the XGLS.L Sharpe Ratio of 1.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GBSS.L and XGLS.L, 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

	GBSS.L	XGLS.L	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.43	1.24	+0.19
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.20	0.98	+0.22
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89	0.75	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.65	0.35	+0.30

Drawdowns

GBSS.L vs. XGLS.L - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GBSS.L drawdown since its inception was -42.08%, smaller than the maximum XGLS.L drawdown of -46.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GBSS.L and XGLS.L.

Drawdown Indicators

	GBSS.L	XGLS.L	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.08%	-46.55%	+4.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.92%	-18.19%	+0.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.92%	-18.19%	+0.27%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.92%	-21.88%	+3.96%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.41%	-22.99%	+0.58%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-16.67%	-16.80%	+0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.55%	-23.38%	+9.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.62%	6.91%	-0.29%

Volatility

GBSS.L vs. XGLS.L - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Gold Bullion Securities (GBSS.L) is 5.06%, while Xtrackers Physical Gold GBP Hedged ETC (XGLS.L) has a volatility of 6.43%. This indicates that GBSS.L experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XGLS.L based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GBSS.L	XGLS.L	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.06%	6.43%	-1.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.83%	21.82%	-1.99%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.97%	24.79%	-1.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.13%	17.26%	-1.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.77%	15.52%	+0.25%

GBSS.L vs. XGLS.L - Expense Ratio Comparison

GBSS.L has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is lower than XGLS.L's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

GBSS.L vs. XGLS.L - Dividend Comparison

Neither GBSS.L nor XGLS.L has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GBSS.L and XGLS.L in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, GBSS.L and XGLS.L move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which ETF is better, GBSS.L or XGLS.L?

On fees, GBSS.L is cheaper at 0.40% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, GBSS.L or XGLS.L?

GBSS.L is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for XGLS.L.

What is the main difference between GBSS.L and XGLS.L?

GBSS.L tracks Gold, while XGLS.L tracks Gold (GBP Hedged). They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and Xtrackers. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for GBSS.L and 0.69% for XGLS.L.