GLDM vs. UGL
GLDM (SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust) and UGL (ProShares Ultra Gold) are both exchange-traded funds - GLDM is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM, while UGL is a Leveraged Commodities fund tracking the Bloomberg Gold Subindex (200%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, GLDM returned 17.81%/yr vs 25.50%/yr for UGL. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. GLDM charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for UGL.
Performance
GLDM vs. UGL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GLDM achieves a 0.06% return, which is significantly higher than UGL's -7.82% return.
GLDM
- 1D
- -3.67%
- 1M
- -8.00%
- YTD
- 0.06%
- 6M
- 2.68%
- 1Y
- 28.49%
- 3Y*
- 29.91%
- 5Y*
- 17.81%
- 10Y*
- —
UGL
- 1D
- -7.30%
- 1M
- -16.13%
- YTD
- -7.82%
- 6M
- -3.83%
- 1Y
- 42.59%
- 3Y*
- 49.47%
- 5Y*
- 25.50%
- 10Y*
- 17.75%
GLDM vs. UGL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GLDM SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust | 0.06% | 64.20% | 27.08% | 13.04% | -0.47% | -4.01% | 25.10% | 18.10% | 1.84% |
UGL ProShares Ultra Gold | -7.82% | 137.57% | 46.36% | 15.56% | -7.59% | -12.30% | 39.04% | 31.11% | 1.14% |
Correlation
The correlation between GLDM and UGL is 1.00 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.00 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 1.00 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 1.00 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 27, 2018 | 0.99 |
The correlation between GLDM and UGL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.99 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
GLDM vs. UGL — Risk / Return Rank
GLDM
UGL
GLDM vs. UGL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust (GLDM) and ProShares Ultra Gold (UGL). 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.
| GLDM | UGL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.27 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.20 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.22 | 1.19 | +0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.43 | 1.06 | +0.37 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.63 | 2.56 | +1.08 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| GLDM | UGL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.07 | 0.80 | +0.27 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.99 | 0.70 | +0.29 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.55 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.99 | 0.38 | +0.61 |
Drawdowns
GLDM vs. UGL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GLDM drawdown since its inception was -21.63%, smaller than the maximum UGL drawdown of -75.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GLDM and UGL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GLDM | UGL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -21.63% | -75.93% | +54.30% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -20.00% | -40.22% | +20.22% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -20.00% | -40.22% | +20.22% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -20.92% | -40.23% | +19.31% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -46.23% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -20.00% | -40.22% | +20.22% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.23% | -43.63% | +37.40% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 7.86% | 16.70% | -8.84% |
Volatility
GLDM vs. UGL - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust (GLDM) is 5.65%, while ProShares Ultra Gold (UGL) has a volatility of 11.42%. This indicates that GLDM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than UGL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| GLDM | UGL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.65% | 11.42% | -5.77% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 23.31% | 47.43% | -24.12% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 26.65% | 53.42% | -26.77% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.97% | 36.32% | -18.35% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.90% | 32.42% | -15.52% |
GLDM vs. UGL - Expense Ratio Comparison
GLDM has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than UGL's 0.95% expense ratio.
Dividends
GLDM vs. UGL - Dividend Comparison
Neither GLDM nor UGL has paid dividends to shareholders.
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 1.00, GLDM and UGL move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
UGL has higher volatility (11.42%) compared to GLDM (5.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GLDM dropped -21.63% vs UGL's -75.93%.
On 5-year performance, UGL leads with 25.50% vs 17.81% for GLDM. On fees, GLDM is cheaper at 0.10% per year. On volatility, GLDM has been the lower-risk option at 5.65%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, UGL has performed better with a 25.50% return vs 17.81%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
GLDM is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for UGL.
GLDM and UGL have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.
GLDM is categorized as Gold, while UGL is Leveraged Commodities. GLDM tracks LBMA Gold Price PM, while UGL tracks Bloomberg Gold Subindex (200%). They also come from different issuers: State Street and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.10% for GLDM and 0.95% for UGL.
GLDM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.07 vs 0.80), 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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