GOLI vs. GDE

Last updated Jul 15, 2026

GOLI (Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF) and GDE (WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - GOLI is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by Defiance, while GDE is a Gold fund actively managed by WisdomTree. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, GOLI returned 3.39% vs 35.23% for GDE. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. GOLI charges 0.99%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for GDE.

Performance

GOLI vs. GDE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF (GOLI) and WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund (GDE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GOLI achieves a -9.90% return, which is significantly lower than GDE's 0.71% return.

GOLI

• 1D: 0.90%
• 1M: -2.54%
• 6M: -13.72%
• YTD: -9.90%
• 1Y: 3.39%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

GDE

• 1D: 1.85%
• 1M: -2.38%
• 6M: -5.83%
• YTD: 0.71%
• 1Y: 35.23%
• 3Y*: 40.39%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

GOLI vs. GDE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
GOLI Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF	-9.90%	15.16%
GDE WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund	0.71%	56.83%

Correlation

The correlation between GOLI and GDE is 0.79, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 2, 2025	0.74

The correlation between GOLI and GDE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GOLI vs. GDE — Risk / Return Rank

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

GOLI

GOLI Risk / Return Rank: 12
GOLI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 12
GOLI Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
GOLI Omega Ratio Rank: 12
GOLI Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
GOLI Martin Ratio Rank: 11

GDE

GDE Risk / Return Rank: 37
GDE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
GDE Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
GDE Omega Ratio Rank: 41
GDE Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
GDE Martin Ratio Rank: 32

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.

GOLI vs. GDE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF (GOLI) and WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund (GDE). 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.

	GOLI	GDE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.14	1.15	-1.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.34	1.56	-1.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.05	1.22	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.13	1.56	-1.43
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.41	3.80	-3.40

GOLI vs. GDE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GOLI Sharpe Ratio is 0.14, which is lower than the GDE Sharpe Ratio of 1.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GOLI and GDE, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

GOLI vs. GDE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GOLI drawdown since its inception was -25.88%, smaller than the maximum GDE drawdown of -32.01%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GOLI and GDE.

Drawdown Indicators

	GOLI	GDE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.88%	-32.01%	+6.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-25.88%	-22.66%	-3.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-22.66%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-19.88%	-18.51%	-1.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.15%	-8.12%	+2.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.37%	9.29%	-0.92%

Volatility

GOLI vs. GDE - Volatility Comparison

Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF (GOLI) has a higher volatility of 12.21% compared to WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund (GDE) at 8.44%. This indicates that GOLI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GDE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GOLI	GDE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.21%	8.44%	+3.77%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.39%	26.30%	-2.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.04%	30.71%	-5.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.23%	27.13%	-3.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.23%	27.13%	-3.90%

GOLI vs. GDE - Expense Ratio Comparison

GOLI has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than GDE's 0.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

GOLI vs. GDE - Dividend Comparison

GOLI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 51.21%, more than GDE's 4.29% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
GDE WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund	4.29%	4.32%	7.14%	2.22%	0.81%
GOLI Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF	51.21%	37.38%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GOLI and GDE in my portfolio?

GOLI and GDE have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GOLI or GDE?

GOLI has higher volatility (12.21%) compared to GDE (8.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GOLI dropped -25.88% vs GDE's -32.01%.

Which ETF is better, GOLI or GDE?

On 1-year performance, GDE leads with 35.23% vs 3.39% for GOLI. On fees, GDE is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, GDE has been the lower-risk option at 8.44%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GOLI or GDE?

Over the 1-year period, GDE has performed better with a 35.23% return vs 3.39%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GOLI or GDE?

GDE is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for GOLI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GOLI or GDE?

GOLI has the higher dividend yield at 51.21%, compared with 4.29% for GDE.

What is the main difference between GOLI and GDE?

GOLI is categorized as Derivative Income, while GDE is Gold. They also come from different issuers: Defiance and WisdomTree. Their fees differ too: 0.99% for GOLI and 0.20% for GDE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GDE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.15 vs 0.14), 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.