GLD vs. GLL
GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) and GLL (ProShares UltraShort Gold) are both exchange-traded funds - GLD is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM, while GLL is a Leveraged Commodities fund tracking the Bloomberg Gold (-200%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GLD returned 12.15%/yr vs -22.08%/yr for GLL. At a correlation of -0.99, they often move in opposite directions. GLD charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for GLL.
Performance
GLD vs. GLL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GLD achieves a -2.47% return, which is significantly higher than GLL's -5.47% return. Over the past 10 years, GLD has outperformed GLL with an annualized return of 12.15%, while GLL has yielded a comparatively lower -22.08% annualized return.
GLD
- 1D
- 0.06%
- 1M
- -7.37%
- YTD
- -2.47%
- 6M
- -2.25%
- 1Y
- 22.21%
- 3Y*
- 28.89%
- 5Y*
- 17.08%
- 10Y*
- 12.15%
GLL
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 21.41%
- YTD
- -5.47%
- 6M
- -6.08%
- 1Y
- -40.15%
- 3Y*
- -39.64%
- 5Y*
- -27.61%
- 10Y*
- -22.08%
GLD vs. GLL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GLD SPDR Gold Shares | -2.47% | 63.68% | 26.66% | 12.69% | -0.77% | -4.15% | 24.81% | 17.86% | -1.94% | 12.81% |
GLL ProShares UltraShort Gold | -5.47% | -62.81% | -33.33% | -14.91% | -2.12% | 1.66% | -41.47% | -26.95% | 5.39% | -23.67% |
Correlation
The correlation between GLD and GLL is -1.00, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -1.00 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -1.00 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -1.00 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | -0.99 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 3, 2008 | -0.99 |
The correlation between GLD and GLL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -1.00 to -0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
GLD vs. GLL — Risk / Return Rank
GLD
GLL
GLD vs. GLL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) and ProShares UltraShort Gold (GLL). 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.
| GLD | GLL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.65 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +2.35 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.18 | 0.87 | +0.31 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.98 | -0.64 | +1.62 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.81 | -0.98 | +3.79 |
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Drawdowns
GLD vs. GLL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GLD drawdown since its inception was -45.56%, smaller than the maximum GLL drawdown of -99.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GLD and GLL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GLD | GLL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -45.56% | -99.24% | +53.68% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -24.46% | -65.10% | +40.64% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -24.46% | -87.95% | +63.49% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.46% | -89.76% | +65.30% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -24.46% | -95.76% | +71.30% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -22.05% | -98.83% | +76.78% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -16.16% | -85.13% | +68.97% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 8.49% | 42.47% | -33.98% |
Volatility
GLD vs. GLL - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) is 7.79%, while ProShares UltraShort Gold (GLL) has a volatility of 15.23%. This indicates that GLD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GLL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| GLD | GLL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.79% | 15.23% | -7.44% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 24.10% | 46.29% | -22.19% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 27.37% | 53.94% | -26.57% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.22% | 36.34% | -18.12% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.08% | 32.38% | -16.30% |
GLD vs. GLL - Expense Ratio Comparison
GLD has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is lower than GLL's 0.95% expense ratio.
Dividends
GLD vs. GLL - Dividend Comparison
Neither GLD nor GLL has paid dividends to shareholders.
Frequently Asked Questions
GLD and GLL have a correlation of -1.00, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GLL has higher volatility (15.23%) compared to GLD (7.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GLD dropped -45.56% vs GLL's -99.24%.
On 10-year performance, GLD leads with 12.15% vs -22.08% for GLL. On fees, GLD is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, GLD has been the lower-risk option at 7.79%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, GLD has performed better with a 12.15% return vs -22.08%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
GLD is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for GLL.
GLD and GLL have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.
GLD is categorized as Gold, while GLL is Leveraged Commodities. GLD tracks LBMA Gold Price PM, while GLL tracks Bloomberg Gold (-200%). They also come from different issuers: State Street and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for GLD and 0.95% for GLL.
GLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.87 vs -0.78), 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.
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