GLDI vs. IGLD
GLDI (Credit Suisse X-Links Gold Shares Covered Call ETN) and IGLD (FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GLDI is a Precious Metals fund tracking the Credit Suisse NASDAQ Gold FLOWS 103 Index, while IGLD is a Gold fund actively managed by First Trust. GLDI is passively managed, while IGLD is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, GLDI returned 10.20%/yr vs 12.02%/yr for IGLD. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GLDI charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for IGLD.
Performance
GLDI vs. IGLD - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GLDI achieves a -2.64% return, which is significantly higher than IGLD's -3.45% return.
GLDI
- 1D
- 0.42%
- 1M
- -6.93%
- YTD
- -2.64%
- 6M
- -2.08%
- 1Y
- 14.82%
- 3Y*
- 17.80%
- 5Y*
- 10.20%
- 10Y*
- 8.20%
IGLD
- 1D
- -0.23%
- 1M
- -9.34%
- YTD
- -3.45%
- 6M
- -2.82%
- 1Y
- 17.44%
- 3Y*
- 20.89%
- 5Y*
- 12.02%
- 10Y*
- —
GLDI vs. IGLD - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GLDI Credit Suisse X-Links Gold Shares Covered Call ETN | -2.64% | 34.25% | 17.76% | 8.93% | -1.11% | 4.21% |
IGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF | -3.45% | 47.46% | 19.36% | 9.24% | -2.34% | 4.30% |
Correlation
The correlation between GLDI and IGLD is 0.82, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.82 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.78 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.81 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 3, 2021 | 0.82 |
The correlation between GLDI and IGLD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
GLDI vs. IGLD — Risk / Return Rank
GLDI
IGLD
GLDI vs. IGLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Credit Suisse X-Links Gold Shares Covered Call ETN (GLDI) and FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD). 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 | IGLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.22 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.18 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.20 | 1.16 | +0.04 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.05 | 0.80 | +0.25 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.77 | 2.45 | +1.32 |
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Drawdowns
GLDI vs. IGLD - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GLDI drawdown since its inception was -32.26%, which is greater than IGLD's maximum drawdown of -21.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GLDI and IGLD.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GLDI | IGLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -32.26% | -21.90% | -10.36% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.14% | -21.90% | +7.76% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -14.14% | -21.90% | +7.76% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -14.14% | -21.90% | +7.76% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -14.94% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -11.63% | -19.44% | +7.81% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -13.99% | -5.31% | -8.68% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.94% | 7.12% | -3.18% |
Volatility
GLDI vs. IGLD - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Credit Suisse X-Links Gold Shares Covered Call ETN (GLDI) is 6.70%, while FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF (IGLD) has a volatility of 7.55%. This indicates that GLDI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IGLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| GLDI | IGLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.70% | 7.55% | -0.85% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.24% | 22.02% | -7.78% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.75% | 24.13% | -8.38% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 11.61% | 15.44% | -3.83% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 11.50% | 15.23% | -3.73% |
GLDI vs. IGLD - Expense Ratio Comparison
GLDI has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than IGLD's 0.85% expense ratio.
Dividends
GLDI vs. IGLD - Dividend Comparison
GLDI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 23.45%, more than IGLD's 18.87% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GLDI Credit Suisse X-Links Gold Shares Covered Call ETN | 23.45% | 16.15% | 10.45% | 10.02% | 13.73% | 10.65% | 14.25% | 7.25% | 5.33% | 7.77% | 17.26% | 10.07% |
IGLD FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF | 18.87% | 9.91% | 20.81% | 7.85% | 4.45% | 2.24% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
GLDI and IGLD have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IGLD has higher volatility (7.55%) compared to GLDI (6.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GLDI dropped -32.26% vs IGLD's -21.90%.
On 5-year performance, IGLD leads with 12.02% vs 10.20% for GLDI. On fees, GLDI is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, GLDI has been the lower-risk option at 6.70%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, IGLD has performed better with a 12.02% return vs 10.20%. 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 0.85% for IGLD.
GLDI has the higher dividend yield at 23.45%, compared with 18.87% for IGLD.
GLDI is categorized as Precious Metals, while IGLD is Gold. They also come from different issuers: Credit Suisse and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for GLDI and 0.85% for IGLD.
GLDI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.95 vs 0.73), 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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