GLD vs. PSLV
GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) and PSLV (Sprott Physical Silver Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - GLD is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM, while PSLV is a Silver fund tracking the No Index (Physical Silver). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GLD returned 12.15%/yr vs 12.48%/yr for PSLV. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. GLD charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.51%/yr for PSLV.
Performance
GLD vs. PSLV - 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 PSLV's -8.84% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with GLD having a 12.15% annualized return and PSLV not far ahead at 12.48%.
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%
PSLV
- 1D
- 1.22%
- 1M
- -12.36%
- YTD
- -8.84%
- 6M
- 5.69%
- 1Y
- 76.87%
- 3Y*
- 38.76%
- 5Y*
- 16.68%
- 10Y*
- 12.48%
GLD vs. PSLV - 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% |
PSLV Sprott Physical Silver Trust | -8.84% | 145.08% | 19.43% | -1.94% | 2.74% | -14.13% | 42.81% | 16.99% | -11.83% | 4.28% |
Correlation
The correlation between GLD and PSLV is 0.76, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.76 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.74 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.76 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.76 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 29, 2010 | 0.77 |
The correlation between GLD and PSLV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
GLD vs. PSLV — Risk / Return Rank
GLD
PSLV
GLD vs. PSLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) and Sprott Physical Silver Trust (PSLV). 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 | PSLV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.42 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.43 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.18 | 1.27 | -0.08 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.98 | 1.72 | -0.74 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.81 | 3.95 | -1.14 |
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Drawdowns
GLD vs. PSLV - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GLD drawdown since its inception was -45.56%, smaller than the maximum PSLV drawdown of -79.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GLD and PSLV.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GLD | PSLV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -45.56% | -79.38% | +33.82% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -24.46% | -44.86% | +20.40% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -24.46% | -44.86% | +20.40% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.46% | -44.86% | +20.40% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -24.46% | -44.86% | +20.40% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -22.05% | -40.70% | +18.65% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -16.16% | -58.11% | +41.95% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 8.49% | 19.49% | -11.00% |
Volatility
GLD vs. PSLV - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) is 7.79%, while Sprott Physical Silver Trust (PSLV) has a volatility of 16.98%. This indicates that GLD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PSLV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| GLD | PSLV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.79% | 16.98% | -9.19% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 24.10% | 58.26% | -34.16% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 27.37% | 59.54% | -32.17% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.22% | 35.99% | -17.77% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.08% | 31.33% | -15.25% |
GLD vs. PSLV - Expense Ratio Comparison
GLD has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is lower than PSLV's 0.51% expense ratio.
Dividends
GLD vs. PSLV - Dividend Comparison
Neither GLD nor PSLV has paid dividends to shareholders.
Frequently Asked Questions
GLD and PSLV have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
PSLV has higher volatility (16.98%) compared to GLD (7.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GLD dropped -45.56% vs PSLV's -79.38%.
On 10-year performance, PSLV leads with 12.48% vs 12.15% for GLD. 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, PSLV has performed better with a 12.48% return vs 12.15%. 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 0.51% for PSLV.
GLD and PSLV have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.
GLD is categorized as Gold, while PSLV is Silver. GLD tracks LBMA Gold Price PM, while PSLV tracks No Index (Physical Silver). They also come from different issuers: State Street and Sprott. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for GLD and 0.51% for PSLV.
PSLV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.30 vs 0.87), 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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