GLD vs. ^RTSI

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) is Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM, while ^RTSI (RTS Index) is an index. Over the past 10 years, GLD returned 12.56%/yr vs 2.17%/yr for ^RTSI. At a 0.09 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

GLD vs. ^RTSI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) and RTS Index (^RTSI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GLD achieves a 0.24% return, which is significantly lower than ^RTSI's 0.37% return. Over the past 10 years, GLD has outperformed ^RTSI with an annualized return of 12.56%, while ^RTSI has yielded a comparatively lower 2.17% annualized return.

GLD

• 1D: 0.26%
• 1M: -8.41%
• YTD: 0.24%
• 6M: 3.07%
• 1Y: 30.18%
• 3Y*: 29.71%
• 5Y*: 17.55%
• 10Y*: 12.56%

^RTSI

• 1D: -1.70%
• 1M: 1.53%
• YTD: 0.37%
• 6M: -0.37%
• 1Y: 0.87%
• 3Y*: 2.07%
• 5Y*: -7.45%
• 10Y*: 2.17%

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

GLD vs. ^RTSI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GLD SPDR Gold Shares	0.24%	63.68%	26.66%	12.69%	-0.77%	-4.15%	24.81%	17.86%	-1.94%	12.81%
^RTSI RTS Index	0.37%	24.73%	-17.56%	11.63%	-39.18%	15.01%	-10.42%	44.93%	-7.42%	0.18%

Correlation

The correlation between GLD and ^RTSI is 0.07, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.07
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.06
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.10
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.08
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 18, 2004	0.09

Return for Risk

GLD vs. ^RTSI — Risk / Return Rank

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

GLD

GLD Risk / Return Rank: 33
GLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
GLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
GLD Omega Ratio Rank: 38
GLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
GLD Martin Ratio Rank: 29

^RTSI

^RTSI Risk / Return Rank: 11
^RTSI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
^RTSI Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
^RTSI Omega Ratio Rank: 11
^RTSI Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
^RTSI Martin Ratio Rank: 11

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.

GLD vs. ^RTSI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) and RTS Index (^RTSI). 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.

	GLD	^RTSI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.13	-0.06	+1.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.51	0.07	+1.44
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.01	+0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.51	-0.07	+1.58
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.78	-0.15	+3.93
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GLD vs. ^RTSI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GLD Sharpe Ratio is 1.13, which is higher than the ^RTSI Sharpe Ratio of -0.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GLD and ^RTSI, 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

	GLD	^RTSI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.13	-0.06	+1.19
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.98	-0.21	+1.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79	0.07	+0.72
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.59	0.21	+0.38

Drawdowns

GLD vs. ^RTSI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GLD drawdown since its inception was -45.56%, smaller than the maximum ^RTSI drawdown of -93.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GLD and ^RTSI.

Drawdown Indicators

	GLD	^RTSI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.56%	-93.26%	+47.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.10%	-17.79%	-2.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.10%	-40.03%	+19.93%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.03%	-62.14%	+41.11%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.00%	-62.14%	+40.14%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-19.89%	-55.05%	+35.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.16%	-43.30%	+27.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.01%	8.17%	-0.16%

Volatility

GLD vs. ^RTSI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) is 5.68%, while RTS Index (^RTSI) has a volatility of 5.98%. This indicates that GLD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ^RTSI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GLD	^RTSI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.68%	5.98%	-0.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.47%	12.81%	+10.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.87%	21.07%	+5.80%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.07%	36.06%	-17.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.99%	31.01%	-15.02%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GLD and ^RTSI in my portfolio?

GLD and ^RTSI have a correlation of 0.07, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GLD or ^RTSI?

^RTSI has higher volatility (5.98%) compared to GLD (5.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GLD dropped -45.56% vs ^RTSI's -93.26%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.13 vs -0.06), 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.