GLD vs. GSG
GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) and GSG (iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - GLD is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM, while GSG is a Commodities fund tracking the S&P GSCI Total Return Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GLD returned 12.56%/yr vs 7.20%/yr for GSG. At a 0.25 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GLD charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for GSG.
Performance
GLD vs. GSG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GLD achieves a 0.24% return, which is significantly lower than GSG's 37.68% return. Over the past 10 years, GLD has outperformed GSG with an annualized return of 12.56%, while GSG has yielded a comparatively lower 7.20% 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%
GSG
- 1D
- 0.51%
- 1M
- -3.23%
- YTD
- 37.68%
- 6M
- 36.50%
- 1Y
- 44.45%
- 3Y*
- 18.01%
- 5Y*
- 14.85%
- 10Y*
- 7.20%
GLD vs. GSG - 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% |
GSG iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust | 37.68% | 5.93% | 8.52% | -5.51% | 24.08% | 38.77% | -23.94% | 15.62% | -13.88% | 3.89% |
Correlation
The correlation between GLD and GSG is 0.12, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.12 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.24 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.23 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.17 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 21, 2006 | 0.25 |
The correlation between GLD and GSG shifts across timeframes, from 0.12 (1 year) to 0.25 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
GLD vs. GSG — Risk / Return Rank
GLD
GSG
GLD vs. GSG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) and iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (GSG). 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 | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.80 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.01 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.23 | 1.35 | -0.12 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.51 | 4.72 | -3.21 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.78 | 12.04 | -8.26 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| GLD | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.13 | 1.93 | -0.80 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.98 | 0.66 | +0.32 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.79 | 0.33 | +0.46 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.59 | -0.09 | +0.68 |
Drawdowns
GLD vs. GSG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GLD drawdown since its inception was -45.56%, smaller than the maximum GSG drawdown of -89.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GLD and GSG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GLD | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -45.56% | -89.62% | +44.06% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -20.10% | -9.46% | -10.64% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -20.10% | -14.94% | -5.16% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -21.03% | -29.12% | +8.09% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -22.00% | -57.64% | +35.64% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -19.89% | -58.43% | +38.54% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -16.16% | -63.71% | +47.55% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 8.01% | 3.70% | +4.31% |
Volatility
GLD vs. GSG - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) is 5.68%, while iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (GSG) has a volatility of 7.05%. This indicates that GLD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GSG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| GLD | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.68% | 7.05% | -1.37% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 23.47% | 20.66% | +2.81% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 26.87% | 23.18% | +3.69% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.07% | 22.64% | -4.57% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 15.99% | 22.04% | -6.05% |
GLD vs. GSG - Expense Ratio Comparison
GLD has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is lower than GSG's 0.75% expense ratio.
Dividends
GLD vs. GSG - Dividend Comparison
Neither GLD nor GSG has paid dividends to shareholders.
Frequently Asked Questions
GLD and GSG have a correlation of 0.12, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GSG has higher volatility (7.05%) compared to GLD (5.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GLD dropped -45.56% vs GSG's -89.62%.
On 10-year performance, GLD leads with 12.56% vs 7.20% for GSG. On fees, GLD is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, GLD has been the lower-risk option at 5.68%. 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 12.56% return vs 7.20%. 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 0.75% for GSG.
GLD and GSG have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.
GLD is categorized as Gold, while GSG is Commodities. GLD tracks LBMA Gold Price PM, while GSG tracks S&P GSCI Total Return Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for GLD and 0.75% for GSG.
GSG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.93 vs 1.13), 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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