GLDY vs. GLD

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF (GLDY) and SPDR Gold Shares (GLD).

GLDY and GLD are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. GLDY is an actively managed fund by Defiance. It was launched on Apr 1, 2025. GLD is a passively managed fund by State Street that tracks the performance of the LBMA Gold Price PM. It was launched on Nov 18, 2004.

Performance

GLDY vs. GLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF (GLDY) and SPDR Gold Shares (GLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

GLDY vs. GLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
GLDY Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF	1.71%	15.40%
GLD SPDR Gold Shares	8.57%	37.53%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GLDY achieves a 1.71% return, which is significantly lower than GLD's 8.57% return.

GLDY

• 1D: 1.38%
• 1M: -7.41%
• YTD: 1.71%
• 6M: 7.35%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

GLD

• 1D: 3.79%
• 1M: -11.05%
• YTD: 8.57%
• 6M: 21.05%
• 1Y: 49.33%
• 3Y*: 32.92%
• 5Y*: 21.58%
• 10Y*: 13.92%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

GLDY vs. GLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

GLDY has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than GLD's 0.40% expense ratio.

GLDY

Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF

GLD

SPDR Gold Shares

Return for Risk

GLDY vs. GLD — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

GLD

GLD Risk / Return Rank: 87
GLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
GLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
GLD Omega Ratio Rank: 86
GLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
GLD Martin Ratio Rank: 87

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

GLDY vs. GLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF (GLDY) and SPDR Gold Shares (GLD). 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	GLDY	GLD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	1.79	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.22	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.88	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.88	0.62	+0.26

Correlation

The correlation between GLDY and GLD is 0.88, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

GLDY vs. GLD - Dividend Comparison

GLDY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 48.03%, while GLD has not paid dividends to shareholders.

	TTM	2025
GLDY Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF	48.03%	37.38%
GLD SPDR Gold Shares	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

GLDY vs. GLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GLDY drawdown since its inception was -13.43%, smaller than the maximum GLD drawdown of -45.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GLDY and GLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	GLDY	GLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.43%	-45.56%	+32.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-19.21%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-21.03%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-22.00%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.56%	-13.23%	+3.67%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.82%	-16.17%	+13.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	5.20%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	GLDY	GLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	11.06%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	24.30%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.99%	27.80%	-7.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.99%	17.74%	+2.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.99%	15.87%	+4.12%