GLDI vs. UPRO
GLDI (Credit Suisse X-Links Gold Shares Covered Call ETN) and UPRO (ProShares UltraPro S&P 500) are both exchange-traded funds - GLDI is a Precious Metals fund tracking the Credit Suisse NASDAQ Gold FLOWS 103 Index, while UPRO is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the S&P 500. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GLDI returned 8.20%/yr vs 29.76%/yr for UPRO. At a 0.05 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GLDI charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for UPRO.
Performance
GLDI vs. UPRO - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GLDI achieves a -2.64% return, which is significantly lower than UPRO's 20.70% return. Over the past 10 years, GLDI has underperformed UPRO with an annualized return of 8.20%, while UPRO has yielded a comparatively higher 29.76% annualized return.
GLDI
- 1D
- 0.42%
- 1M
- -6.86%
- YTD
- -2.64%
- 6M
- -2.08%
- 1Y
- 13.60%
- 3Y*
- 17.80%
- 5Y*
- 10.20%
- 10Y*
- 8.20%
UPRO
- 1D
- 1.54%
- 1M
- -3.92%
- YTD
- 20.70%
- 6M
- 21.09%
- 1Y
- 70.79%
- 3Y*
- 46.83%
- 5Y*
- 21.40%
- 10Y*
- 29.76%
GLDI vs. UPRO - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GLDI Credit Suisse X-Links Gold Shares Covered Call ETN | -2.64% | 34.25% | 17.76% | 8.93% | -1.11% | -3.42% | 23.50% | 14.40% | -0.54% | 8.94% |
UPRO ProShares UltraPro S&P 500 | 20.70% | 31.88% | 63.57% | 68.53% | -56.84% | 98.64% | 10.09% | 102.30% | -25.11% | 71.37% |
Correlation
The correlation between GLDI and UPRO is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.26 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.19 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.16 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.08 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 29, 2013 | 0.05 |
Over the past year, GLDI and UPRO have become more correlated (0.26) than their long-term average of 0.05, meaning their price movements have been converging.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
GLDI vs. UPRO — Risk / Return Rank
GLDI
UPRO
GLDI vs. UPRO - 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 ProShares UltraPro S&P 500 (UPRO). 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 | UPRO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.83 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.98 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.20 | 1.30 | -0.10 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.05 | 2.43 | -1.38 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.77 | 10.01 | -6.24 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
GLDI vs. UPRO - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GLDI drawdown since its inception was -32.26%, smaller than the maximum UPRO drawdown of -76.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GLDI and UPRO.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| GLDI | UPRO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -32.26% | -76.82% | +44.56% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.14% | -26.78% | +12.64% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -14.14% | -48.87% | +34.73% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -14.14% | -63.94% | +49.80% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -14.94% | -76.82% | +61.88% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -11.63% | -7.60% | -4.03% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -13.99% | -14.40% | +0.41% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.94% | 6.50% | -2.56% |
Volatility
GLDI vs. UPRO - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Credit Suisse X-Links Gold Shares Covered Call ETN (GLDI) is 6.70%, while ProShares UltraPro S&P 500 (UPRO) has a volatility of 13.22%. This indicates that GLDI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than UPRO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| GLDI | UPRO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.70% | 13.22% | -6.52% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.24% | 28.74% | -14.50% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.75% | 36.77% | -21.02% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 11.61% | 50.52% | -38.91% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 11.50% | 53.83% | -42.33% |
GLDI vs. UPRO - Expense Ratio Comparison
GLDI has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than UPRO's 0.89% expense ratio.
Dividends
GLDI vs. UPRO - Dividend Comparison
GLDI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 23.45%, more than UPRO's 0.72% 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% |
UPRO ProShares UltraPro S&P 500 | 0.72% | 0.84% | 0.93% | 0.74% | 0.52% | 0.06% | 0.11% | 0.41% | 0.63% | 0.00% | 0.12% | 0.34% |
Frequently Asked Questions
GLDI and UPRO have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
UPRO has higher volatility (13.22%) compared to GLDI (6.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GLDI dropped -32.26% vs UPRO's -76.82%.
On 10-year performance, UPRO leads with 29.76% vs 8.20% 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 10-year period, UPRO has performed better with a 29.76% return vs 8.20%. 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 0.89% for UPRO.
GLDI has the higher dividend yield at 23.45%, compared with 0.72% for UPRO.
GLDI is categorized as Precious Metals, while UPRO is Leveraged Equities. GLDI tracks Credit Suisse NASDAQ Gold FLOWS 103 Index, while UPRO tracks S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: Credit Suisse and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for GLDI and 0.89% for UPRO.
UPRO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 0.95), 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.
Find the right allocation for GLDI and UPRO
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer