GDE vs. YGLD

Last updated Aug 6, 2026

GDE (WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund) and YGLD (Simplify Gold Strategy PLUS Income ETF) are both Gold funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, GDE returned 40.11% vs 14.50% for YGLD. Their correlation of 0.84 means they have usually moved in the same direction. GDE charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for YGLD.

Performance

GDE vs. YGLD - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GDE achieves a 6.13% return, which is significantly higher than YGLD's -13.33% return.

GDE

• 1D: 3.32%
• 1M: 2.89%
• 6M: -5.29%
• YTD: 6.13%
• 1Y: 40.11%
• 3Y*: 42.55%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 30.99%

YGLD

• 1D: 6.96%
• 1M: 2.68%
• 6M: -26.54%
• YTD: -13.33%
• 1Y: 14.50%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 34.14%

*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)
GDE WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund	$5.96M	$7.02M	$9.78M
YGLD Simplify Gold Strategy PLUS Income ETF	$409.03K	$314.08K	$499.23K

GDE vs. YGLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
GDE WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund	6.13%	73.76%	-2.34%
YGLD Simplify Gold Strategy PLUS Income ETF	-13.33%	96.82%	-4.26%

Correlation

The correlation between GDE and YGLD is 0.90, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 3, 2024	0.84

The correlation between GDE and YGLD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GDE vs. YGLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

GDE

GDE Risk / Return Rank: 41
GDE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
GDE Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
GDE Omega Ratio Rank: 45
GDE Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
GDE Martin Ratio Rank: 35

YGLD

YGLD Risk / Return Rank: 17
YGLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
YGLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
YGLD Omega Ratio Rank: 20
YGLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
YGLD Martin Ratio Rank: 14

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.

GDE vs. YGLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund (GDE) and Simplify Gold Strategy PLUS Income ETF (YGLD). 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.

	GDE	YGLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.29	0.34	+0.95
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.70	0.71	+0.99
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.10	+0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.78	0.34	+1.44
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.84	0.65	+3.19

GDE vs. YGLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GDE Sharpe Ratio is 1.29, which is higher than the YGLD Sharpe Ratio of 0.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GDE and YGLD, 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

GDE vs. YGLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GDE drawdown since its inception was -32.01%, smaller than the maximum YGLD drawdown of -43.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GDE and YGLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	GDE	YGLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.01%	-43.35%	+11.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-22.66%	-43.35%	+20.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.66%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-14.13%	-37.46%	+23.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.28%	-11.21%	+2.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.46%	22.25%	-11.79%

Volatility

GDE vs. YGLD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund (GDE) is 8.47%, while Simplify Gold Strategy PLUS Income ETF (YGLD) has a volatility of 10.62%. This indicates that GDE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than YGLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GDE	YGLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.47%	10.62%	-2.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.01%	29.70%	-5.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	31.26%	42.82%	-11.56%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.15%	39.26%	-12.11%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.15%	39.26%	-12.11%

GDE vs. YGLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

GDE has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than YGLD's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

GDE vs. YGLD - Dividend Comparison

GDE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.07%, less than YGLD's 21.13% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
GDE WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund	4.07%	4.32%	7.14%	2.22%	0.81%
YGLD Simplify Gold Strategy PLUS Income ETF	21.13%	12.05%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GDE and YGLD in my portfolio?

GDE and YGLD have a correlation of 0.90, 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 YGLD?

YGLD has higher volatility (10.62%) compared to GDE (8.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GDE dropped -32.01% vs YGLD's -43.35%.

Which ETF is better, GDE or YGLD?

On 1-year performance, GDE leads with 40.11% vs 14.50% for YGLD. On fees, GDE is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, GDE has been the lower-risk option at 8.47%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GDE or YGLD?

Over the 1-year period, GDE has performed better with a 40.11% return vs 14.50%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GDE or YGLD?

GDE is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for YGLD.

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

YGLD has the higher dividend yield at 21.13%, compared with 4.07% for GDE.

What is the main difference between GDE and YGLD?

They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and Simplify. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for GDE and 0.50% for YGLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GDE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.29 vs 0.34), 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.