GC=F vs. UUP

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

GC=F (Gold Futures) is an asset, while UUP (Invesco DB US Dollar Index Bullish Fund) is Currency fund tracking the Deutsche Bank Long US Dollar Index (USDX) Futures Index. Over the past 10 years, GC=F returned 11.63%/yr vs 3.22%/yr for UUP. Their -0.39 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past.

Performance

GC=F vs. UUP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Gold Futures (GC=F) and Invesco DB US Dollar Index Bullish Fund (UUP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GC=F achieves a -5.25% return, which is significantly lower than UUP's 4.22% return. Over the past 10 years, GC=F has outperformed UUP with an annualized return of 11.63%, while UUP has yielded a comparatively lower 3.22% annualized return.

GC=F

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: -0.34%
• 6M: -13.05%
• YTD: -5.25%
• 1Y: 22.43%
• 3Y*: 28.30%
• 5Y*: 17.72%
• 10Y*: 11.63%
• ALL TIME*: 11.00%

UUP

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: -0.60%
• 6M: 4.92%
• YTD: 4.22%
• 1Y: 5.67%
• 3Y*: 4.54%
• 5Y*: 5.70%
• 10Y*: 3.22%
• ALL TIME*: 1.65%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
GC=F Gold Futures	$116.79M	$56.64M	$28.60M
UUP Invesco DB US Dollar Index Bullish Fund	$55.14M	$58.68M	$59.16M

GC=F vs. UUP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GC=F Gold Futures	-5.25%	64.52%	27.48%	13.34%	-0.43%	-3.47%	24.59%	18.87%	-2.14%	13.59%
UUP Invesco DB US Dollar Index Bullish Fund	4.22%	-4.99%	13.50%	3.63%	9.46%	5.73%	-6.66%	4.09%	7.05%	-9.10%

Correlation

The correlation between GC=F and UUP is -0.36, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.36
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	-0.37
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	-0.40
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	-0.40
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 1, 2007	-0.39

Return for Risk

GC=F vs. UUP — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

GC=F

GC=F Risk / Return Rank: 3
GC=F Sharpe Ratio Rank: 0
GC=F Sortino Ratio Rank: 0
GC=F Omega Ratio Rank: 0
GC=F Calmar Ratio Rank: 0
GC=F Martin Ratio Rank: 13

UUP

UUP Risk / Return Rank: 32
UUP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
UUP Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
UUP Omega Ratio Rank: 28
UUP Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
UUP Martin Ratio Rank: 38

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

GC=F vs. UUP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Gold Futures (GC=F) and Invesco DB US Dollar Index Bullish Fund (UUP). 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.

	GC=F	UUP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.87	0.75	+0.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.22	1.07	+0.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.13	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.98	1.22	-0.24
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.17	3.83	-1.67

GC=F vs. UUP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GC=F Sharpe Ratio is 0.87, which is comparable to the UUP Sharpe Ratio of 0.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GC=F and UUP, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

GC=F vs. UUP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GC=F drawdown since its inception was -44.36%, which is greater than UUP's maximum drawdown of -22.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GC=F and UUP.

Drawdown Indicators

	GC=F	UUP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.36%	-22.19%	-22.17%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-25.06%	-3.65%	-21.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.06%	-10.05%	-15.01%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.06%	-10.37%	-14.69%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-25.06%	-14.24%	-10.82%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-22.94%	-2.41%	-20.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.58%	-8.86%	-4.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.31%	1.33%	+9.98%

Volatility

GC=F vs. UUP - Volatility Comparison

Gold Futures (GC=F) has a higher volatility of 6.13% compared to Invesco DB US Dollar Index Bullish Fund (UUP) at 1.65%. This indicates that GC=F's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than UUP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GC=F	UUP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.13%	1.65%	+4.48%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.41%	4.11%	+19.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.14%	5.88%	+22.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.65%	7.23%	+11.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.66%	6.89%	+9.77%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GC=F and UUP in my portfolio?

GC=F and UUP have a correlation of -0.36, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GC=F or UUP?

GC=F has higher volatility (6.13%) compared to UUP (1.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GC=F dropped -44.36% vs UUP's -22.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GC=F currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.87 vs 0.75), 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.