GC=F vs. ^GSPC

Last updated Apr 3, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Gold (GC=F) and S&P 500 Index (^GSPC).

Performance

GC=F vs. ^GSPC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Gold (GC=F) and S&P 500 Index (^GSPC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

GC=F vs. ^GSPC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GC=F Gold	8.72%	64.52%	27.48%	13.34%	-0.43%	-3.47%	24.59%	18.87%	-2.14%	13.59%
^GSPC S&P 500 Index	-3.84%	16.39%	23.31%	24.23%	-19.44%	26.89%	16.26%	28.88%	-6.24%	19.42%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GC=F achieves a 8.72% return, which is significantly higher than ^GSPC's -3.84% return. Over the past 10 years, GC=F has outperformed ^GSPC with an annualized return of 14.46%, while ^GSPC has yielded a comparatively lower 12.29% annualized return.

GC=F

• 1D: -1.68%
• 1M: -7.92%
• YTD: 8.72%
• 6M: 22.48%
• 1Y: 49.77%
• 3Y*: 33.33%
• 5Y*: 22.19%
• 10Y*: 14.46%

^GSPC

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: -3.43%
• YTD: -3.84%
• 6M: -1.98%
• 1Y: 16.08%
• 3Y*: 16.86%
• 5Y*: 10.37%
• 10Y*: 12.29%

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

Return for Risk

GC=F vs. ^GSPC — Risk / Return Rank

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

GC=F

GC=F Risk / Return Rank: 82
GC=F Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
GC=F Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
GC=F Omega Ratio Rank: 77
GC=F Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
GC=F Martin Ratio Rank: 90

^GSPC

^GSPC Risk / Return Rank: 58
^GSPC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
^GSPC Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
^GSPC Omega Ratio Rank: 59
^GSPC Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
^GSPC Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

GC=F vs. ^GSPC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Gold (GC=F) and S&P 500 Index (^GSPC). 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.

	GC=F	^GSPC	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.72	0.88	+0.84
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.13	1.37	+0.77
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.21	+0.12
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.64	1.39	+1.25
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.67	6.43	+3.23
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GC=F vs. ^GSPC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GC=F Sharpe Ratio is 1.72, which is higher than the ^GSPC Sharpe Ratio of 0.88. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GC=F and ^GSPC, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	GC=F	^GSPC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.72	0.88	+0.84
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.23	0.62	+0.61
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88	0.68	+0.20
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.64	0.46	+0.18

Correlation

The correlation between GC=F and ^GSPC is 0.00, which is considered to be low. This implies their price changes are not closely related. A low correlation is generally favorable for portfolio diversification, as it helps to reduce overall risk by spreading it across multiple assets with different performance patterns.

Drawdowns

GC=F vs. ^GSPC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GC=F drawdown since its inception was -44.36%, smaller than the maximum ^GSPC drawdown of -56.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GC=F and ^GSPC.

Drawdown Indicators

	GC=F	^GSPC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.36%	-56.78%	+12.42%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.73%	-9.10%	-8.63%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.43%	-25.43%	+5.00%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-20.87%	-33.92%	+13.05%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.58%	-5.67%	-5.91%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.03%	-10.75%	-2.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.83%	2.62%	+2.21%

Volatility

GC=F vs. ^GSPC - Volatility Comparison

Gold (GC=F) has a higher volatility of 11.34% compared to S&P 500 Index (^GSPC) at 5.29%. This indicates that GC=F's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ^GSPC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GC=F	^GSPC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.34%	5.29%	+6.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.65%	9.55%	+15.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.83%	18.33%	+9.50%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.97%	16.90%	+1.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.37%	18.04%	-1.67%