GLD vs. VDY.TO

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) and VDY.TO (Vanguard FTSE Canadian High Dividend Yield Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GLD is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM, while VDY.TO is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE Canada High Dividend Yield Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GLD returned 12.15%/yr vs 13.61%/yr for VDY.TO. At a 0.00 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GLD charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.22%/yr for VDY.TO.

Performance

GLD vs. VDY.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) and Vanguard FTSE Canadian High Dividend Yield Index ETF (VDY.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Different Trading Currencies

GLD is traded in USD, while VDY.TO is traded in CAD. To make them comparable, the VDY.TO values have been converted to USD using the latest available exchange rates.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GLD achieves a -2.47% return, which is significantly lower than VDY.TO's 21.35% return. Over the past 10 years, GLD has underperformed VDY.TO with an annualized return of 12.15%, while VDY.TO has yielded a comparatively higher 13.61% annualized return.

GLD

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: -9.52%
• YTD: -2.47%
• 6M: -2.25%
• 1Y: 22.21%
• 3Y*: 28.89%
• 5Y*: 17.08%
• 10Y*: 12.15%

VDY.TO

• 1D: 0.47%
• 1M: 3.28%
• YTD: 21.35%
• 6M: 21.69%
• 1Y: 45.54%
• 3Y*: 25.54%
• 5Y*: 14.55%
• 10Y*: 13.61%

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

GLD vs. VDY.TO - 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%
VDY.TO Vanguard FTSE Canadian High Dividend Yield Index ETF	21.35%	35.39%	11.96%	11.05%	-6.18%	36.67%	1.03%	26.64%	-17.06%	16.18%

Correlation

The correlation between GLD and VDY.TO is 0.20, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.20
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.17
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.14
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.02
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 8, 2012	0.00

Over the past year, GLD and VDY.TO have become more correlated (0.20) than their long-term average of 0.00, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

GLD vs. VDY.TO — Risk / Return Rank

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

GLD

GLD Risk / Return Rank: 26
GLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
GLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
GLD Omega Ratio Rank: 30
GLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
GLD Martin Ratio Rank: 24

VDY.TO

VDY.TO Risk / Return Rank: 98
VDY.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
VDY.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
VDY.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 98
VDY.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
VDY.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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. VDY.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) and Vanguard FTSE Canadian High Dividend Yield Index ETF (VDY.TO). 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	VDY.TO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.87	4.99	-4.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.24	6.89	-5.65
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.94	-0.76
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.98	12.92	-11.94
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.81	44.56	-41.75

GLD vs. VDY.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GLD Sharpe Ratio is 0.87, which is lower than the VDY.TO Sharpe Ratio of 4.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GLD and VDY.TO, 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. VDY.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GLD drawdown since its inception was -45.56%, roughly equal to the maximum VDY.TO drawdown of -44.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GLD and VDY.TO.

Drawdown Indicators

	GLD	VDY.TO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.56%	-44.42%	-1.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-24.46%	-3.59%	-20.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.46%	-12.92%	-11.54%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.46%	-23.69%	-0.77%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-24.46%	-44.42%	+19.96%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-22.05%	0.00%	-22.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.16%	-8.79%	-7.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.49%	1.04%	+7.45%

Volatility

GLD vs. VDY.TO - Volatility Comparison

SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) has a higher volatility of 7.79% compared to Vanguard FTSE Canadian High Dividend Yield Index ETF (VDY.TO) at 3.14%. This indicates that GLD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VDY.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GLD	VDY.TO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.79%	3.14%	+4.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.10%	7.41%	+16.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.37%	9.31%	+18.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.22%	13.44%	+4.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.08%	17.45%	-1.37%

GLD vs. VDY.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

GLD has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than VDY.TO's 0.22% expense ratio.

Dividends

GLD vs. VDY.TO - Dividend Comparison

GLD has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VDY.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.83%.

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%
VDY.TO Vanguard FTSE Canadian High Dividend Yield Index ETF	2.83%	3.59%	4.37%	4.64%	4.42%	3.46%	4.59%	4.25%	4.44%	3.42%	3.25%	4.11%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GLD and VDY.TO in my portfolio?

GLD and VDY.TO have a correlation of 0.20, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, GLD or VDY.TO?

On fees, VDY.TO is cheaper at 0.22% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, GLD or VDY.TO?

VDY.TO is cheaper with a 0.22% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for GLD.

What is the main difference between GLD and VDY.TO?

GLD is categorized as Gold, while VDY.TO is Dividend. GLD tracks LBMA Gold Price PM, while VDY.TO tracks FTSE Canada High Dividend Yield Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for GLD and 0.22% for VDY.TO.