GLD vs. VUG
GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) and VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GLD is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM, while VUG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GLD returned 12.15%/yr vs 17.90%/yr for VUG. At a 0.07 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GLD charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VUG.
Performance
GLD vs. VUG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GLD achieves a -2.47% return, which is significantly lower than VUG's 4.99% return. Over the past 10 years, GLD has underperformed VUG with an annualized return of 12.15%, while VUG has yielded a comparatively higher 17.90% 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%
VUG
- 1D
- 0.18%
- 1M
- -3.64%
- YTD
- 4.99%
- 6M
- 5.66%
- 1Y
- 22.83%
- 3Y*
- 23.38%
- 5Y*
- 13.78%
- 10Y*
- 17.90%
GLD vs. VUG - 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% |
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF | 4.99% | 19.40% | 32.69% | 46.83% | -33.16% | 27.35% | 40.25% | 37.03% | -3.32% | 27.72% |
Correlation
The correlation between GLD and VUG 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 | 0.12 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.09 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.07 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 18, 2004 | 0.07 |
The correlation between GLD and VUG shifts across timeframes, from 0.07 (10 years) to 0.20 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
GLD vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank
GLD
VUG
GLD vs. VUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG). 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 | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.42 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.54 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.18 | 1.23 | -0.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.98 | 1.29 | -0.31 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.81 | 4.43 | -1.62 |
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Drawdowns
GLD vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GLD drawdown since its inception was -45.56%, smaller than the maximum VUG drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GLD and VUG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GLD | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -45.56% | -50.68% | +5.12% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -24.46% | -16.53% | -7.93% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -24.46% | -22.85% | -1.61% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.46% | -35.61% | +11.15% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -24.46% | -35.61% | +11.15% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -22.05% | -5.56% | -16.49% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -16.16% | -7.09% | -9.07% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 8.49% | 4.79% | +3.70% |
Volatility
GLD vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison
SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) has a higher volatility of 7.79% compared to Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) at 5.73%. This indicates that GLD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| GLD | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.79% | 5.73% | +2.06% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 24.10% | 13.00% | +11.10% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 27.37% | 16.46% | +10.91% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.22% | 22.30% | -4.08% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.08% | 21.48% | -5.40% |
GLD vs. VUG - Expense Ratio Comparison
GLD has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than VUG's 0.03% expense ratio.
Dividends
GLD vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison
GLD has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VUG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.39%.
| 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% |
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF | 0.39% | 0.41% | 0.47% | 0.58% | 0.70% | 0.48% | 0.66% | 0.95% | 1.32% | 1.14% | 1.39% | 1.30% |
Frequently Asked Questions
GLD and VUG 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.
GLD has higher volatility (7.79%) compared to VUG (5.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GLD dropped -45.56% vs VUG's -50.68%.
On 10-year performance, VUG leads with 17.90% vs 12.15% for GLD. On fees, VUG is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VUG has been the lower-risk option at 5.73%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VUG has performed better with a 17.90% return vs 12.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VUG is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for GLD.
VUG has the higher dividend yield at 0.39%, compared with 0.00% for GLD.
GLD is categorized as Gold, while VUG is Large Cap Growth Equities. GLD tracks LBMA Gold Price PM, while VUG tracks CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for GLD and 0.03% for VUG.
VUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.29 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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