GLD vs. XLU
GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GLD is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM, while XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GLD returned 11.25%/yr vs 9.46%/yr for XLU. At a 0.11 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GLD charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.
Performance
GLD vs. XLU - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GLD achieves a -7.67% return, which is significantly lower than XLU's 8.11% return. Over the past 10 years, GLD has outperformed XLU with an annualized return of 11.25%, while XLU has yielded a comparatively lower 9.46% annualized return.
GLD
- 1D
- -3.02%
- 1M
- -11.58%
- YTD
- -7.67%
- 6M
- -11.17%
- 1Y
- 19.51%
- 3Y*
- 27.10%
- 5Y*
- 17.04%
- 10Y*
- 11.25%
XLU
- 1D
- 1.04%
- 1M
- 1.06%
- YTD
- 8.11%
- 6M
- 7.81%
- 1Y
- 14.75%
- 3Y*
- 15.30%
- 5Y*
- 10.60%
- 10Y*
- 9.46%
GLD vs. XLU - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GLD SPDR Gold Shares | -7.67% | 63.68% | 26.66% | 12.69% | -0.77% | -4.15% | 24.81% | 17.86% | -1.94% | 12.81% |
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF | 8.11% | 16.03% | 23.31% | -7.18% | 1.44% | 17.70% | 0.51% | 25.93% | 3.94% | 12.05% |
Correlation
The correlation between GLD and XLU is 0.16, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.16 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.19 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.19 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.16 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 18, 2004 | 0.11 |
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Return for Risk
GLD vs. XLU — Risk / Return Rank
GLD
XLU
GLD vs. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU). 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 | XLU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.30 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.38 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.15 | 1.18 | -0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.75 | 1.61 | -0.86 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.12 | 3.42 | -1.30 |
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Drawdowns
GLD vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GLD drawdown since its inception was -45.56%, smaller than the maximum XLU drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GLD and XLU.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GLD | XLU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -45.56% | -51.98% | +6.42% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -26.21% | -9.18% | -17.03% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -26.21% | -17.26% | -8.95% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -26.21% | -25.26% | -0.95% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -26.21% | -36.07% | +9.86% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -26.21% | -3.31% | -22.90% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -16.17% | -10.21% | -5.96% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 9.24% | 4.33% | +4.91% |
Volatility
GLD vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison
SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) has a higher volatility of 8.58% compared to State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) at 5.25%. This indicates that GLD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| GLD | XLU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.58% | 5.25% | +3.33% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 24.57% | 11.67% | +12.90% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 27.75% | 14.67% | +13.08% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.30% | 17.31% | +0.99% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.07% | 19.28% | -3.21% |
GLD vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison
GLD has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than XLU's 0.08% expense ratio.
Dividends
GLD vs. XLU - Dividend Comparison
GLD has not paid dividends to shareholders, while XLU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.63%.
| 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% |
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF | 2.63% | 2.71% | 2.96% | 3.39% | 2.92% | 2.79% | 3.14% | 2.95% | 3.33% | 3.33% | 3.41% | 3.67% |
Frequently Asked Questions
GLD and XLU have a correlation of 0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GLD has higher volatility (8.58%) compared to XLU (5.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GLD dropped -45.56% vs XLU's -51.98%.
On 10-year performance, GLD leads with 11.25% vs 9.46% for XLU. On fees, XLU is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLU has been the lower-risk option at 5.25%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, GLD has performed better with a 11.25% return vs 9.46%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
XLU is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for GLD.
XLU has the higher dividend yield at 2.63%, compared with 0.00% for GLD.
GLD is categorized as Gold, while XLU is Utilities Equities. GLD tracks LBMA Gold Price PM, while XLU tracks Utilities Select Sector Index. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for GLD and 0.08% for XLU.
XLU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.01 vs 0.71), 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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