GLCB.L vs. SPYL.L

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

GLCB.L (SPDR Refinitiv Global Convertible Bond UCITS ETF) and SPYL.L (SPDR S&P 500 UCITS ETF USD Acc) are both exchange-traded funds - GLCB.L is a Convertible Bonds fund tracking the Refinitiv Global CB TR USD, while SPYL.L is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, GLCB.L returned 283.93% vs 29.05% for SPYL.L. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. GLCB.L charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for SPYL.L.

Performance

GLCB.L vs. SPYL.L - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a £10,000 investment in SPDR Refinitiv Global Convertible Bond UCITS ETF (GLCB.L) and SPDR S&P 500 UCITS ETF USD Acc (SPYL.L). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Different Trading Currencies

GLCB.L is traded in GBp, while SPYL.L is traded in USD. To make them comparable, the SPYL.L values have been converted to GBp using the latest available exchange rates.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GLCB.L achieves a 93.48% return, which is significantly higher than SPYL.L's 10.73% return.

GLCB.L

• 1D: -0.35%
• 1M: 5.09%
• YTD: 93.48%
• 6M: 94.58%
• 1Y: 283.93%
• 3Y*: 169.95%
• 5Y*: 96.80%
• 10Y*: —

SPYL.L

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 5.43%
• YTD: 10.73%
• 6M: 10.28%
• 1Y: 29.05%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

GLCB.L vs. SPYL.L - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
GLCB.L SPDR Refinitiv Global Convertible Bond UCITS ETF	93.48%	269.52%	123.23%	5.13%
SPYL.L SPDR S&P 500 UCITS ETF USD Acc	10.80%	9.03%	27.52%	9.22%

Correlation

The correlation between GLCB.L and SPYL.L is 0.58, 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	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 1, 2023	0.63

The correlation between GLCB.L and SPYL.L has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.58 to 0.63 - a consistent structural relationship.

GLCB.L vs. SPYL.L - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GLCB.L	SPYL.L
Technology	23.8%	35.6%
Consumer Cyclical	8.5%	10.1%
Healthcare	6.0%	8.5%
Industrials	4.7%	8.3%
Financial Services	4.5%	11.8%
Basic Materials	4.0%	1.8%
Utilities	2.4%	2.3%
Communication Services	1.8%	11.2%
Real Estate	1.6%	1.9%
Energy	1.4%	3.5%
Consumer Defensive	0.6%	4.9%

Return for Risk

GLCB.L vs. SPYL.L — Risk / Return Rank

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

GLCB.L

GLCB.L Risk / Return Rank: 97
GLCB.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
GLCB.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
GLCB.L Omega Ratio Rank: 99
GLCB.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
GLCB.L Martin Ratio Rank: 99

SPYL.L

SPYL.L Risk / Return Rank: 74
SPYL.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
SPYL.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
SPYL.L Omega Ratio Rank: 73
SPYL.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
SPYL.L Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

GLCB.L vs. SPYL.L - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Refinitiv Global Convertible Bond UCITS ETF (GLCB.L) and SPDR S&P 500 UCITS ETF USD Acc (SPYL.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.

	GLCB.L	SPYL.L	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.87	2.42	+0.45
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	25.73	3.30	+22.43
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	4.59	1.45	+3.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	55.06	3.96	+51.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	189.13	13.51	+175.62
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GLCB.L vs. SPYL.L - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GLCB.L Sharpe Ratio is 2.87, which is comparable to the SPYL.L Sharpe Ratio of 2.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GLCB.L and SPYL.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

	GLCB.L	SPYL.L	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.87	2.42	+0.45
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.44	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.52	1.55	-0.03

Drawdowns

GLCB.L vs. SPYL.L - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GLCB.L drawdown since its inception was -15.28%, smaller than the maximum SPYL.L drawdown of -21.16%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GLCB.L and SPYL.L.

Drawdown Indicators

	GLCB.L	SPYL.L	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.28%	-21.16%	+5.88%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.12%	-7.21%	+2.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.42%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-10.65%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.35%	-0.28%	-0.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.53%	-2.95%	+0.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.49%	2.13%	-0.64%

Volatility

GLCB.L vs. SPYL.L - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR Refinitiv Global Convertible Bond UCITS ETF (GLCB.L) is 3.18%, while SPDR S&P 500 UCITS ETF USD Acc (SPYL.L) has a volatility of 3.48%. This indicates that GLCB.L experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPYL.L based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GLCB.L	SPYL.L	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.18%	3.48%	-0.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	52.08%	8.60%	+43.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	98.39%	11.82%	+86.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	67.00%	14.13%	+52.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	58.85%	14.13%	+44.72%

GLCB.L vs. SPYL.L - Expense Ratio Comparison

GLCB.L has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than SPYL.L's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

GLCB.L vs. SPYL.L - Dividend Comparison

GLCB.L's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 65.48%, while SPYL.L has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
GLCB.L SPDR Refinitiv Global Convertible Bond UCITS ETF	65.48%	77.76%	55.57%	26.13%	27.42%	19.20%	35.35%	48.00%	23.37%
SPYL.L SPDR S&P 500 UCITS ETF USD Acc	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GLCB.L and SPYL.L in my portfolio?

GLCB.L and SPYL.L have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, GLCB.L or SPYL.L?

On fees, SPYL.L is cheaper at 0.03% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, GLCB.L or SPYL.L?

SPYL.L is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for GLCB.L.

What is the main difference between GLCB.L and SPYL.L?

GLCB.L is categorized as Convertible Bonds, while SPYL.L is S&P 500. GLCB.L tracks Refinitiv Global CB TR USD, while SPYL.L tracks S&P 500. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for GLCB.L and 0.03% for SPYL.L.