GLTR vs. VTI
GLTR (abrdn Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GLTR is a Precious Metals fund tracking the ETFS Physical Precious Metals Basket Index, while VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GLTR returned 12.08%/yr vs 15.02%/yr for VTI. At a 0.16 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GLTR charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.
Performance
GLTR vs. VTI - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GLTR achieves a -4.66% return, which is significantly lower than VTI's 9.62% return. Over the past 10 years, GLTR has underperformed VTI with an annualized return of 12.08%, while VTI has yielded a comparatively higher 15.02% annualized return.
GLTR
- 1D
- 0.30%
- 1M
- -9.08%
- YTD
- -4.66%
- 6M
- 0.76%
- 1Y
- 38.86%
- 3Y*
- 29.97%
- 5Y*
- 14.04%
- 10Y*
- 12.08%
VTI
- 1D
- 0.57%
- 1M
- 1.00%
- YTD
- 9.62%
- 6M
- 9.69%
- 1Y
- 26.27%
- 3Y*
- 20.60%
- 5Y*
- 12.20%
- 10Y*
- 15.02%
GLTR vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GLTR abrdn Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF | -4.66% | 87.25% | 20.63% | 2.01% | -0.25% | -9.60% | 29.52% | 20.96% | -2.85% | 12.94% |
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | 9.62% | 17.10% | 23.81% | 26.05% | -19.52% | 25.68% | 21.08% | 30.67% | -5.23% | 21.21% |
Correlation
The correlation between GLTR and VTI is 0.29, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.29 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.24 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.22 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.17 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 22, 2010 | 0.16 |
The correlation between GLTR and VTI shifts across timeframes, from 0.16 (all time) to 0.29 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
GLTR vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank
GLTR
VTI
GLTR vs. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for abrdn Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF (GLTR) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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.
| GLTR | VTI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.93 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.29 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.22 | 1.35 | -0.13 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.17 | 2.79 | -1.62 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.88 | 12.52 | -9.64 |
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Drawdowns
GLTR vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GLTR drawdown since its inception was -55.70%, roughly equal to the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GLTR and VTI.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GLTR | VTI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -55.70% | -55.45% | -0.25% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -34.09% | -8.92% | -25.17% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -34.09% | -19.30% | -14.79% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -34.09% | -25.36% | -8.73% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -34.09% | -35.00% | +0.91% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -31.27% | -2.14% | -29.13% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -28.82% | -8.02% | -20.80% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 13.86% | 1.99% | +11.87% |
Volatility
GLTR vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison
abrdn Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF (GLTR) has a higher volatility of 10.43% compared to Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) at 4.50%. This indicates that GLTR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| GLTR | VTI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 10.43% | 4.50% | +5.93% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 36.24% | 9.82% | +26.42% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 38.40% | 12.64% | +25.76% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 23.87% | 17.47% | +6.40% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.64% | 18.33% | +2.31% |
GLTR vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison
GLTR has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% expense ratio.
Dividends
GLTR vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison
GLTR has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VTI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GLTR abrdn Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | 1.03% | 1.12% | 1.27% | 1.44% | 1.66% | 1.21% | 1.42% | 1.78% | 2.04% | 1.71% | 1.92% | 1.98% |
Frequently Asked Questions
GLTR and VTI have a correlation of 0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GLTR has higher volatility (10.43%) compared to VTI (4.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GLTR dropped -55.70% vs VTI's -55.45%.
On 10-year performance, VTI leads with 15.02% vs 12.08% for GLTR. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VTI has been the lower-risk option at 4.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VTI has performed better with a 15.02% return vs 12.08%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for GLTR.
VTI has the higher dividend yield at 1.03%, compared with 0.00% for GLTR.
GLTR is categorized as Precious Metals, while VTI is Large Cap Blend Equities. GLTR tracks ETFS Physical Precious Metals Basket Index, while VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index. They also come from different issuers: abrdn and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for GLTR and 0.03% for VTI.
VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.97 vs 1.04), 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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