GLDI vs. BGLD
GLDI (UBS AG ETRACS Gold Shares Covered Call ETNs due February 2, 2033) and BGLD (FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GLDI is a Gold fund tracking the Credit Suisse NASDAQ Gold FLOWS 103 Index, while BGLD is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by FT Vest. GLDI is passively managed, while BGLD is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, GLDI returned 11.32%/yr vs 11.11%/yr for BGLD. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. GLDI charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.91%/yr for BGLD.
Performance
GLDI vs. BGLD - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GLDI achieves a -2.88% return, which is significantly higher than BGLD's -3.16% return.
GLDI
- 1D
- -0.50%
- 1M
- -5.67%
- YTD
- -2.88%
- 6M
- -3.64%
- 1Y
- 14.20%
- 3Y*
- 18.11%
- 5Y*
- 11.32%
- 10Y*
- 8.00%
BGLD
- 1D
- -0.51%
- 1M
- -4.22%
- YTD
- -3.16%
- 6M
- -5.79%
- 1Y
- 9.22%
- 3Y*
- 18.53%
- 5Y*
- 11.11%
- 10Y*
- —
GLDI vs. BGLD - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GLDI UBS AG ETRACS Gold Shares Covered Call ETNs due February 2, 2033 | -2.88% | 34.25% | 17.76% | 8.93% | -1.11% | -2.45% |
BGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF | -3.16% | 33.03% | 21.80% | 13.24% | -2.42% | -5.53% |
Correlation
The correlation between GLDI and BGLD is 0.69, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.69 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.69 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.75 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 21, 2021 | 0.76 |
The correlation between GLDI and BGLD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.69 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
GLDI vs. BGLD — Risk / Return Rank
GLDI
BGLD
GLDI vs. BGLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for UBS AG ETRACS Gold Shares Covered Call ETNs due February 2, 2033 (GLDI) and FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF (BGLD). 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.
| GLDI | BGLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.16 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.15 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.19 | 1.15 | +0.04 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.01 | 0.81 | +0.20 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.38 | 2.30 | +1.08 |
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Drawdowns
GLDI vs. BGLD - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GLDI drawdown since its inception was -32.26%, which is greater than BGLD's maximum drawdown of -16.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GLDI and BGLD.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GLDI | BGLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -32.26% | -16.19% | -16.07% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.14% | -11.42% | -2.72% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -14.14% | -11.42% | -2.72% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -14.14% | -15.42% | +1.28% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -14.94% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -11.85% | -10.43% | -1.42% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -13.99% | -3.69% | -10.30% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.21% | 4.01% | +0.20% |
Volatility
GLDI vs. BGLD - Volatility Comparison
UBS AG ETRACS Gold Shares Covered Call ETNs due February 2, 2033 (GLDI) has a higher volatility of 7.07% compared to FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF (BGLD) at 4.55%. This indicates that GLDI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BGLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| GLDI | BGLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.07% | 4.55% | +2.52% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.49% | 10.78% | +3.71% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.94% | 12.56% | +3.38% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 11.55% | 10.13% | +1.42% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 11.53% | 10.02% | +1.51% |
GLDI vs. BGLD - Expense Ratio Comparison
GLDI has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than BGLD's 0.91% expense ratio.
Dividends
GLDI vs. BGLD - Dividend Comparison
GLDI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 26.24%, less than BGLD's 45.77% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF | 45.77% | 44.32% | 25.04% | 10.49% | 0.40% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
GLDI UBS AG ETRACS Gold Shares Covered Call ETNs due February 2, 2033 | 26.24% | 16.15% | 10.45% | 10.02% | 13.73% | 10.65% | 14.25% | 7.25% | 5.33% | 7.77% | 17.26% | 10.07% |
Frequently Asked Questions
GLDI and BGLD have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GLDI has higher volatility (7.07%) compared to BGLD (4.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GLDI dropped -32.26% vs BGLD's -16.19%.
On 5-year performance, GLDI leads with 11.32% vs 11.11% for BGLD. On fees, GLDI is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, BGLD has been the lower-risk option at 4.55%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, GLDI has performed better with a 11.32% return vs 11.11%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
GLDI is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.91% for BGLD.
BGLD has the higher dividend yield at 45.77%, compared with 26.24% for GLDI.
GLDI is categorized as Gold, while BGLD is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: UBS and FT Vest. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for GLDI and 0.91% for BGLD.
GLDI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.90 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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