GLD vs. MA

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) is Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM, while MA (Mastercard Incorporated) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, GLD returned 11.27%/yr vs 20.01%/yr for MA. At a 0.01 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

GLD vs. MA - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GLD achieves a -7.24% return, which is significantly lower than MA's -3.64% return. Over the past 10 years, GLD has underperformed MA with an annualized return of 11.27%, while MA has yielded a comparatively higher 20.01% annualized return.

GLD

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: -5.04%
• 6M: -12.74%
• YTD: -7.24%
• 1Y: 19.20%
• 3Y*: 26.36%
• 5Y*: 16.85%
• 10Y*: 11.27%
• ALL TIME*: 10.24%

MA

• 1D: 0.71%
• 1M: 11.96%
• 6M: 1.82%
• YTD: -3.64%
• 1Y: -0.33%
• 3Y*: 11.92%
• 5Y*: 8.21%
• 10Y*: 20.01%
• ALL TIME*: 28.24%

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

GLD vs. MA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GLD SPDR Gold Shares	-7.24%	63.68%	26.66%	12.69%	-0.77%	-4.15%	24.81%	17.86%	-1.94%	12.81%
MA Mastercard Incorporated	-3.64%	9.04%	24.17%	23.40%	-2.66%	1.16%	20.19%	59.16%	25.31%	47.69%

Correlation

The correlation between GLD and MA is -0.08, 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	-0.08
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.02
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.01
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.01
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 25, 2006	0.01

Return for Risk

GLD vs. MA — Risk / Return Rank

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

GLD

GLD Risk / Return Rank: 24
GLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
GLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
GLD Omega Ratio Rank: 28
GLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
GLD Martin Ratio Rank: 21

MA

MA Risk / Return Rank: 42
MA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
MA Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
MA Omega Ratio Rank: 37
MA Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
MA Martin Ratio Rank: 45

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. MA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) and Mastercard Incorporated (MA). 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	MA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.69	-0.02	+0.70
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.03	0.13	+0.90
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.02	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.73	-0.02	+0.75
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.71	-0.03	+1.74

GLD vs. MA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GLD Sharpe Ratio is 0.69, which is higher than the MA Sharpe Ratio of -0.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GLD and MA, 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. MA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GLD drawdown since its inception was -45.56%, smaller than the maximum MA drawdown of -62.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GLD and MA.

Drawdown Indicators

	GLD	MA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.56%	-62.67%	+17.11%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-26.40%	-20.91%	-5.49%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.40%	-20.91%	-5.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.40%	-28.25%	+1.85%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-26.40%	-41.00%	+14.60%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-25.87%	-8.03%	-17.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.19%	-9.84%	-6.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.28%	11.12%	+0.16%

Volatility

GLD vs. MA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) is 6.38%, while Mastercard Incorporated (MA) has a volatility of 6.95%. This indicates that GLD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GLD	MA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.38%	6.95%	-0.57%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.20%	17.75%	+6.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.06%	21.88%	+6.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.42%	23.98%	-5.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.11%	26.91%	-10.80%

Dividends

GLD vs. MA - Dividend Comparison

GLD has not paid dividends to shareholders, while MA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.62%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GLD SPDR Gold Shares	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
MA Mastercard Incorporated	0.62%	0.53%	0.50%	0.53%	0.56%	0.49%	0.45%	0.44%	0.53%	0.58%	0.74%	0.66%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GLD and MA in my portfolio?

GLD and MA have a correlation of -0.08, 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 MA?

MA has higher volatility (6.95%) compared to GLD (6.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GLD dropped -45.56% vs MA's -62.67%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.69 vs -0.01), 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.