GLD vs. VST
GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) is Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM, while VST (Vistra Corp.) is a stock. Over the past 5 years, GLD returned 18.31%/yr vs 56.11%/yr for VST. At a 0.06 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
GLD vs. VST - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GLD achieves a 0.06% return, which is significantly higher than VST's -4.71% 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%
VST
- 1D
- 3.72%
- 1M
- 9.91%
- YTD
- -4.71%
- 6M
- -8.50%
- 1Y
- -11.19%
- 3Y*
- 85.24%
- 5Y*
- 56.11%
- 10Y*
- —
GLD vs. VST - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GLD SPDR Gold Shares | 0.06% | 63.68% | 26.66% | 12.69% | -0.77% | -4.15% | 24.81% | 17.86% | -1.94% | 12.81% |
VST Vistra Corp. | -4.71% | 17.66% | 261.52% | 70.73% | 5.08% | 19.57% | -11.87% | 2.46% | 24.95% | 18.19% |
Correlation
The correlation between GLD and VST is 0.14, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.14 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.12 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.12 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 4, 2016 | 0.06 |
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Return for Risk
GLD vs. VST — Risk / Return Rank
GLD
VST
GLD vs. VST - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) and Vistra Corp. (VST). 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 | VST | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.16 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.30 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.19 | 1.00 | +0.19 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.04 | -0.30 | +1.34 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.97 | -0.54 | +3.51 |
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Drawdowns
GLD vs. VST - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GLD drawdown since its inception was -45.56%, smaller than the maximum VST drawdown of -53.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GLD and VST.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GLD | VST | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -45.56% | -53.32% | +7.76% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -24.46% | -38.01% | +13.55% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -24.46% | -48.80% | +24.34% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.46% | -48.80% | +24.34% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -24.46% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -20.03% | -29.36% | +9.33% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -16.16% | -13.73% | -2.43% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 8.59% | 20.82% | -12.23% |
Volatility
GLD vs. VST - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) is 8.37%, while Vistra Corp. (VST) has a volatility of 15.50%. This indicates that GLD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VST based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| GLD | VST | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.37% | 15.50% | -7.13% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 24.21% | 37.72% | -13.51% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 27.49% | 48.81% | -21.32% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.26% | 48.01% | -29.75% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.10% | 42.23% | -26.13% |
Dividends
GLD vs. VST - Dividend Comparison
GLD has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VST's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.59%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
VST Vistra Corp. | 0.59% | 0.56% | 0.63% | 2.13% | 3.12% | 2.64% | 2.75% | 2.17% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 14.97% |
Frequently Asked Questions
GLD and VST have a correlation of 0.14, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VST has higher volatility (15.50%) compared to GLD (8.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GLD dropped -45.56% vs VST's -53.32%.
GLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.93 vs -0.23), 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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