GLD vs. JEPQ

Last updated Jun 16, 2026

GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) and JEPQ (JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GLD is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM, while JEPQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the Nasdaq-100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, GLD returned 29.73%/yr vs 20.72%/yr for JEPQ. At a 0.14 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GLD charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for JEPQ.

Performance

GLD vs. JEPQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) and JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GLD achieves a 0.06% return, which is significantly lower than JEPQ's 10.23% return.

GLD

• 1D: 2.59%
• 1M: -4.97%
• YTD: 0.06%
• 6M: 0.19%
• 1Y: 25.38%
• 3Y*: 29.73%
• 5Y*: 18.31%
• 10Y*: 12.33%

JEPQ

• 1D: 2.21%
• 1M: 3.31%
• YTD: 10.23%
• 6M: 11.56%
• 1Y: 29.39%
• 3Y*: 20.72%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

GLD vs. JEPQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
GLD SPDR Gold Shares	0.06%	63.68%	26.66%	12.69%	-2.56%
JEPQ JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF	10.23%	15.18%	24.85%	36.28%	-11.16%

Correlation

The correlation between GLD and JEPQ is 0.25, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.25
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.13
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 4, 2022	0.14

The correlation between GLD and JEPQ shifts across timeframes, from 0.13 (3 years) to 0.25 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

GLD vs. JEPQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

GLD

GLD Risk / Return Rank: 27
GLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
GLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
GLD Omega Ratio Rank: 31
GLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
GLD Martin Ratio Rank: 24

JEPQ

JEPQ Risk / Return Rank: 81
JEPQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
JEPQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
JEPQ Omega Ratio Rank: 85
JEPQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
JEPQ Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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. JEPQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) and JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ). 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	JEPQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.93	2.31	-1.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.30	3.06	-1.76
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.46	-0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.04	3.35	-2.31
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.97	15.94	-12.96

GLD vs. JEPQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GLD Sharpe Ratio is 0.93, which is lower than the JEPQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GLD and JEPQ, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

GLD vs. JEPQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GLD drawdown since its inception was -45.56%, which is greater than JEPQ's maximum drawdown of -20.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GLD and JEPQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	GLD	JEPQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.56%	-20.07%	-25.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-24.46%	-8.82%	-15.64%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.46%	-20.07%	-4.39%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.46%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-24.46%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-20.03%	0.00%	-20.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.16%	-3.41%	-12.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.59%	1.85%	+6.74%

Volatility

GLD vs. JEPQ - Volatility Comparison

SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) has a higher volatility of 8.37% compared to JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ) at 5.42%. This indicates that GLD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than JEPQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GLD	JEPQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.37%	5.42%	+2.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.21%	10.44%	+13.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.49%	12.78%	+14.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.26%	16.76%	+1.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.10%	16.76%	-0.66%

GLD vs. JEPQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

GLD has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than JEPQ's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

GLD vs. JEPQ - Dividend Comparison

GLD has not paid dividends to shareholders, while JEPQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.00%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
GLD SPDR Gold Shares	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
JEPQ JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF	10.00%	10.53%	9.65%	10.03%	9.44%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GLD and JEPQ in my portfolio?

GLD and JEPQ have a correlation of 0.25, 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 JEPQ?

GLD has higher volatility (8.37%) compared to JEPQ (5.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GLD dropped -45.56% vs JEPQ's -20.07%.

Which ETF is better, GLD or JEPQ?

On 3-year performance, GLD leads with 29.73% vs 20.72% for JEPQ. On fees, JEPQ is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, JEPQ has been the lower-risk option at 5.42%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GLD or JEPQ?

Over the 3-year period, GLD has performed better with a 29.73% return vs 20.72%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GLD or JEPQ?

JEPQ is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for GLD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GLD or JEPQ?

JEPQ has the higher dividend yield at 10.00%, compared with 0.00% for GLD.

What is the main difference between GLD and JEPQ?

GLD is categorized as Gold, while JEPQ is Nasdaq-100. GLD tracks LBMA Gold Price PM, while JEPQ tracks Nasdaq-100 Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and JPMorgan. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for GLD and 0.35% for JEPQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

JEPQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.31 vs 0.93), 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.