GOLDX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

GOLDX (Gabelli Gold Fund) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - GOLDX is a Precious Metals fund managed by Gabelli, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, GOLDX returned 14.52%/yr vs 15.57%/yr for SPY. At a 0.19 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GOLDX charges 1.51%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

GOLDX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Gabelli Gold Fund (GOLDX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GOLDX achieves a 1.07% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 11.69% return. Over the past 10 years, GOLDX has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 14.52%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.57% annualized return.

GOLDX

• 1D: -3.08%
• 1M: -1.54%
• YTD: 1.07%
• 6M: 8.57%
• 1Y: 68.25%
• 3Y*: 45.36%
• 5Y*: 20.27%
• 10Y*: 14.52%

SPY

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 5.40%
• YTD: 11.69%
• 6M: 12.09%
• 1Y: 29.62%
• 3Y*: 22.64%
• 5Y*: 14.20%
• 10Y*: 15.57%

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

GOLDX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GOLDX Gabelli Gold Fund	1.07%	165.59%	14.92%	7.85%	-11.02%	-8.97%	26.30%	43.94%	-14.80%	6.22%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	11.69%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between GOLDX and SPY is 0.30, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.30
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.28
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.29
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.21
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 1995	0.19

The correlation between GOLDX and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.19 (all time) to 0.30 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

GOLDX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

GOLDX

GOLDX Risk / Return Rank: 33
GOLDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
GOLDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
GOLDX Omega Ratio Rank: 34
GOLDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
GOLDX Martin Ratio Rank: 26

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 75
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 76
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

GOLDX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Gabelli Gold Fund (GOLDX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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.

	GOLDX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.81	2.52	-0.71
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.16	3.42	-1.26
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.46	-0.15
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.43	3.42	-0.99
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.58	15.93	-9.35
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GOLDX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GOLDX Sharpe Ratio is 1.81, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GOLDX and SPY, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	GOLDX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.81	2.52	-0.71
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63	0.84	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45	0.87	-0.42
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.23	0.59	-0.36

Drawdowns

GOLDX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GOLDX drawdown since its inception was -73.40%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GOLDX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	GOLDX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-73.40%	-55.19%	-18.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-31.96%	-8.88%	-23.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-31.96%	-18.76%	-13.20%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-44.73%	-24.50%	-20.23%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.42%	-33.72%	-15.70%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-25.93%	0.00%	-25.93%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-34.50%	-9.05%	-25.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.79%	1.91%	+9.88%

Volatility

GOLDX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Gabelli Gold Fund (GOLDX) has a higher volatility of 14.29% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.75%. This indicates that GOLDX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GOLDX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.29%	2.75%	+11.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	35.80%	8.89%	+26.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	42.68%	11.81%	+30.87%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	32.54%	17.05%	+15.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	32.26%	17.94%	+14.32%

GOLDX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

GOLDX has a 1.51% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

GOLDX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

GOLDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 15.41%, more than SPY's 0.97% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GOLDX Gabelli Gold Fund	15.41%	15.57%	2.11%	1.13%	0.00%	0.00%	1.69%	0.83%	0.34%	0.51%	2.18%	0.00%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.97%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GOLDX and SPY in my portfolio?

GOLDX and SPY have a correlation of 0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GOLDX or SPY?

GOLDX has higher volatility (14.29%) compared to SPY (2.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GOLDX dropped -73.40% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 1.81), 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.