GDE vs. VEA

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

GDE (WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund) and VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GDE is a Gold fund actively managed by WisdomTree, while VEA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index. GDE is actively managed, while VEA is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, GDE returned 44.47%/yr vs 18.65%/yr for VEA. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. GDE charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VEA.

Performance

GDE vs. VEA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund (GDE) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GDE achieves a 5.74% return, which is significantly lower than VEA's 12.02% return.

GDE

• 1D: 0.95%
• 1M: -7.44%
• YTD: 5.74%
• 6M: 8.50%
• 1Y: 47.93%
• 3Y*: 44.47%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VEA

• 1D: 1.00%
• 1M: -1.37%
• YTD: 12.02%
• 6M: 14.95%
• 1Y: 28.06%
• 3Y*: 18.65%
• 5Y*: 9.09%
• 10Y*: 10.14%

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

GDE vs. VEA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
GDE WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund	5.74%	73.76%	44.79%	33.85%	-18.67%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	12.02%	35.16%	3.15%	17.93%	-9.61%

Correlation

The correlation between GDE and VEA is 0.63, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.63
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 18, 2022	0.68

The correlation between GDE and VEA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.63 to 0.68 - a consistent structural relationship.

GDE vs. VEA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GDE	VEA
Technology	35.6%	13.8%
Financial Services	12.2%	23.3%
Communication Services	12.2%	3.4%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	7.5%
Healthcare	8.3%	8.2%
Industrials	7.6%	19.2%
Consumer Defensive	5.5%	5.6%
Energy	3.4%	5.4%
Utilities	2.1%	3.3%
Real Estate	1.6%	2.7%
Basic Materials	1.4%	7.5%

Return for Risk

GDE vs. VEA — Risk / Return Rank

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

GDE

GDE Risk / Return Rank: 49
GDE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
GDE Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
GDE Omega Ratio Rank: 54
GDE Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
GDE Martin Ratio Rank: 43

VEA

VEA Risk / Return Rank: 56
VEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
VEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
VEA Omega Ratio Rank: 57
VEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
VEA Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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.

GDE vs. VEA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund (GDE) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). 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.

	GDE	VEA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.66	1.75	-0.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.07	2.39	-0.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.32	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.13	2.42	-0.30
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.49	9.39	-2.89
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GDE vs. VEA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GDE Sharpe Ratio is 1.66, which is comparable to the VEA Sharpe Ratio of 1.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GDE and VEA, 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

	GDE	VEA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.66	1.75	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.55	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.59	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.10	0.24	+0.86

Drawdowns

GDE vs. VEA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GDE drawdown since its inception was -32.01%, smaller than the maximum VEA drawdown of -60.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GDE and VEA.

Drawdown Indicators

	GDE	VEA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.01%	-60.68%	+28.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-22.66%	-11.63%	-11.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.66%	-13.45%	-9.21%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-29.71%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.73%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-14.44%	-3.40%	-11.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.90%	-13.29%	+5.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.40%	3.00%	+4.40%

Volatility

GDE vs. VEA - Volatility Comparison

WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund (GDE) has a higher volatility of 8.25% compared to Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) at 6.03%. This indicates that GDE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VEA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GDE	VEA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.25%	6.03%	+2.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	25.04%	13.91%	+11.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	29.09%	16.15%	+12.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.26%	16.63%	+9.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.26%	17.40%	+8.86%

GDE vs. VEA - Expense Ratio Comparison

GDE has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than VEA's 0.03% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

GDE vs. VEA - Dividend Comparison

GDE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.09%, more than VEA's 2.69% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GDE WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund	4.09%	4.32%	7.14%	2.22%	0.81%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	2.69%	3.22%	3.35%	3.15%	2.91%	3.16%	2.04%	3.04%	3.35%	2.77%	3.05%	2.92%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GDE and VEA in my portfolio?

GDE and VEA have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GDE or VEA?

GDE has higher volatility (8.25%) compared to VEA (6.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GDE dropped -32.01% vs VEA's -60.68%.

Which ETF is better, GDE or VEA?

On 3-year performance, GDE leads with 44.47% vs 18.65% for VEA. On fees, VEA is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VEA has been the lower-risk option at 6.03%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GDE or VEA?

Over the 3-year period, GDE has performed better with a 44.47% return vs 18.65%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GDE or VEA?

VEA is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for GDE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GDE or VEA?

GDE has the higher dividend yield at 4.09%, compared with 2.69% for VEA.

What is the main difference between GDE and VEA?

GDE is categorized as Gold, while VEA is Foreign Large Cap Equities. They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for GDE and 0.03% for VEA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.75 vs 1.66), 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.