GLD vs. UNH
GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) is Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM, while UNH (UnitedHealth Group Incorporated) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, GLD returned 11.18%/yr vs 13.58%/yr for UNH. At a 0.01 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
GLD vs. UNH - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GLD achieves a -6.49% return, which is significantly lower than UNH's 30.96% return. Over the past 10 years, GLD has underperformed UNH with an annualized return of 11.18%, while UNH has yielded a comparatively higher 13.58% annualized return.
GLD
- 1D
- 0.60%
- 1M
- -9.89%
- YTD
- -6.49%
- 6M
- -6.49%
- 1Y
- 20.50%
- 3Y*
- 27.63%
- 5Y*
- 17.24%
- 10Y*
- 11.18%
UNH
- 1D
- 2.62%
- 1M
- 12.93%
- YTD
- 30.96%
- 6M
- 30.96%
- 1Y
- 34.29%
- 3Y*
- -1.94%
- 5Y*
- 2.61%
- 10Y*
- 13.58%
GLD vs. UNH - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GLD SPDR Gold Shares | -6.49% | 63.68% | 26.66% | 12.69% | -0.77% | -4.15% | 24.81% | 17.86% | -1.94% | 12.81% |
UNH UnitedHealth Group Incorporated | 30.96% | -33.14% | -2.41% | 0.80% | 6.94% | 45.20% | 21.25% | 20.00% | 14.52% | 39.83% |
Correlation
The correlation between GLD and UNH is 0.15, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.15 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.08 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.07 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.02 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 18, 2004 | 0.01 |
The correlation between GLD and UNH shifts across timeframes, from 0.01 (all time) to 0.15 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
GLD vs. UNH — Risk / Return Rank
GLD
UNH
GLD vs. UNH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) and UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH). 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 | UNH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.12 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.23 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.16 | 1.20 | -0.04 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.79 | 1.19 | -0.40 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.07 | 2.74 | -0.67 |
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Drawdowns
GLD vs. UNH - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GLD drawdown since its inception was -45.56%, smaller than the maximum UNH drawdown of -74.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GLD and UNH.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GLD | UNH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -45.56% | -74.37% | +28.81% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -26.21% | -28.96% | +2.75% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -26.21% | -61.39% | +35.18% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -26.21% | -61.39% | +35.18% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -26.21% | -61.39% | +35.18% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -25.27% | -28.88% | +3.61% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -16.18% | -14.79% | -1.39% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 9.90% | 13.17% | -3.27% |
Volatility
GLD vs. UNH - Volatility Comparison
SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) has a higher volatility of 8.61% compared to UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH) at 8.09%. This indicates that GLD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than UNH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| GLD | UNH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.61% | 8.09% | +0.52% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 24.08% | 31.10% | -7.02% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 27.68% | 40.23% | -12.55% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.31% | 31.96% | -13.65% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.07% | 30.24% | -14.17% |
Dividends
GLD vs. UNH - Dividend Comparison
GLD has not paid dividends to shareholders, while UNH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.10%.
| 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% |
UNH UnitedHealth Group Incorporated | 2.10% | 2.64% | 1.62% | 1.38% | 1.21% | 1.12% | 1.38% | 1.41% | 1.38% | 1.30% | 1.48% | 1.59% |
Frequently Asked Questions
GLD and UNH have a correlation of 0.15, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GLD has higher volatility (8.61%) compared to UNH (8.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GLD dropped -45.56% vs UNH's -74.37%.
UNH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.86 vs 0.74), 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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