GLAD.L vs. VAGS.L

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GLAD.L (SPDR Bloomberg Global Aggregate Bond UCITS ETF USD Hedged (Acc)) and VAGS.L (Vanguard Global Aggregate Bond UCITS ETF GBP Hedged Accumulating) are both Global Bonds funds - GLAD.L tracks the Bloomberg Global Aggregate TR Hdg USD while VAGS.L tracks the Bloomberg Global Aggregate TR Hdg GBP. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, GLAD.L returned 0.62%/yr vs -1.32%/yr for VAGS.L. A 0.50 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.10% expense ratio.

Performance

GLAD.L vs. VAGS.L - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Bloomberg Global Aggregate Bond UCITS ETF USD Hedged (Acc) (GLAD.L) and Vanguard Global Aggregate Bond UCITS ETF GBP Hedged Accumulating (VAGS.L). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Different Trading Currencies

GLAD.L is traded in USD, while VAGS.L is traded in GBP. To make them comparable, the VAGS.L values have been converted to USD using the latest available exchange rates.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GLAD.L achieves a 0.39% return, which is significantly higher than VAGS.L's -0.18% return.

GLAD.L

• 1D: -0.40%
• 1M: 0.15%
• YTD: 0.39%
• 6M: 0.51%
• 1Y: 3.45%
• 3Y*: 4.04%
• 5Y*: 0.62%
• 10Y*: —

VAGS.L

• 1D: -0.61%
• 1M: -0.76%
• YTD: -0.18%
• 6M: 0.70%
• 1Y: 2.49%
• 3Y*: 6.27%
• 5Y*: -1.32%
• 10Y*: —

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

GLAD.L vs. VAGS.L - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
GLAD.L SPDR Bloomberg Global Aggregate Bond UCITS ETF USD Hedged (Acc)	0.39%	4.72%	3.23%	6.73%	-11.24%	-1.59%	5.21%	-0.04%
VAGS.L Vanguard Global Aggregate Bond UCITS ETF GBP Hedged Accumulating	-0.18%	12.88%	0.69%	11.53%	-22.95%	-3.03%	8.75%	4.46%

Correlation

The correlation between GLAD.L and VAGS.L is 0.57, 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	0.57
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.58
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 14, 2019	0.50

The correlation between GLAD.L and VAGS.L has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.50 to 0.58 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GLAD.L vs. VAGS.L — Risk / Return Rank

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

GLAD.L

GLAD.L Risk / Return Rank: 30
GLAD.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
GLAD.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
GLAD.L Omega Ratio Rank: 29
GLAD.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
GLAD.L Martin Ratio Rank: 31

VAGS.L

VAGS.L Risk / Return Rank: 24
VAGS.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
VAGS.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
VAGS.L Omega Ratio Rank: 22
VAGS.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
VAGS.L Martin Ratio Rank: 25

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.

GLAD.L vs. VAGS.L - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Bloomberg Global Aggregate Bond UCITS ETF USD Hedged (Acc) (GLAD.L) and Vanguard Global Aggregate Bond UCITS ETF GBP Hedged Accumulating (VAGS.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.

	GLAD.L	VAGS.L	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.08	0.30	+0.78
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.57	0.48	+1.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.05	+0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.49	0.46	+1.04
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.57	1.10	+3.47
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GLAD.L vs. VAGS.L - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GLAD.L Sharpe Ratio is 1.08, which is higher than the VAGS.L Sharpe Ratio of 0.30. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GLAD.L and VAGS.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

	GLAD.L	VAGS.L	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.08	0.30	+0.78
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.14	-0.12	+0.26
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.22	0.12	+0.10

Drawdowns

GLAD.L vs. VAGS.L - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GLAD.L drawdown since its inception was -15.20%, smaller than the maximum VAGS.L drawdown of -35.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GLAD.L and VAGS.L.

Drawdown Indicators

	GLAD.L	VAGS.L	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.20%	-35.81%	+20.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.30%	-5.43%	+3.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.78%	-11.55%	+7.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.05%	-35.81%	+20.76%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.16%	-7.02%	+5.86%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.55%	-11.66%	+7.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.75%	2.26%	-1.51%

Volatility

GLAD.L vs. VAGS.L - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR Bloomberg Global Aggregate Bond UCITS ETF USD Hedged (Acc) (GLAD.L) is 1.38%, while Vanguard Global Aggregate Bond UCITS ETF GBP Hedged Accumulating (VAGS.L) has a volatility of 2.66%. This indicates that GLAD.L experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VAGS.L based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GLAD.L	VAGS.L	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.38%	2.66%	-1.28%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.65%	6.12%	-3.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.19%	8.36%	-5.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.48%	10.87%	-6.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.27%	10.90%	-6.63%

GLAD.L vs. VAGS.L - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both GLAD.L and VAGS.L have an expense ratio of 0.10%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

GLAD.L vs. VAGS.L - Dividend Comparison

Neither GLAD.L nor VAGS.L has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GLAD.L and VAGS.L in my portfolio?

GLAD.L and VAGS.L have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, GLAD.L or VAGS.L?

Both ETFs have the same 0.10% expense ratio. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, GLAD.L or VAGS.L?

GLAD.L and VAGS.L have the same expense ratio: 0.10% per year.

What is the main difference between GLAD.L and VAGS.L?

GLAD.L tracks Bloomberg Global Aggregate TR Hdg USD, while VAGS.L tracks Bloomberg Global Aggregate TR Hdg GBP. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Vanguard.