IXN vs. GLD
IXN (iShares Global Tech ETF) and GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - IXN is a Technology Equities fund tracking the S&P Global Information Technology Sector Index, while GLD is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IXN returned 25.03%/yr vs 12.15%/yr for GLD. At a 0.07 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IXN charges 0.46%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for GLD.
Performance
IXN vs. GLD - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IXN achieves a 33.08% return, which is significantly higher than GLD's -2.47% return. Over the past 10 years, IXN has outperformed GLD with an annualized return of 25.03%, while GLD has yielded a comparatively lower 12.15% annualized return.
IXN
- 1D
- 0.42%
- 1M
- 3.37%
- YTD
- 33.08%
- 6M
- 35.17%
- 1Y
- 62.93%
- 3Y*
- 32.38%
- 5Y*
- 21.51%
- 10Y*
- 25.03%
GLD
- 1D
- 0.06%
- 1M
- -9.52%
- YTD
- -2.47%
- 6M
- -2.25%
- 1Y
- 22.21%
- 3Y*
- 28.89%
- 5Y*
- 17.08%
- 10Y*
- 12.15%
IXN vs. GLD - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IXN iShares Global Tech ETF | 33.08% | 25.25% | 24.84% | 52.98% | -29.86% | 29.58% | 43.62% | 47.88% | -5.44% | 41.23% |
GLD SPDR Gold Shares | -2.47% | 63.68% | 26.66% | 12.69% | -0.77% | -4.15% | 24.81% | 17.86% | -1.94% | 12.81% |
Correlation
The correlation between IXN and GLD is 0.22, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.22 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.15 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.12 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.07 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 18, 2004 | 0.07 |
The correlation between IXN and GLD shifts across timeframes, from 0.07 (all time) to 0.22 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
IXN vs. GLD — Risk / Return Rank
IXN
GLD
IXN vs. GLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Global Tech ETF (IXN) 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.
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.
| IXN | GLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.65 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.86 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.42 | 1.18 | +0.23 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.39 | 0.98 | +3.41 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 14.35 | 2.81 | +11.54 |
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Drawdowns
IXN vs. GLD - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IXN drawdown since its inception was -55.67%, which is greater than GLD's maximum drawdown of -45.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IXN and GLD.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IXN | GLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -55.67% | -45.56% | -10.11% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.80% | -24.46% | +10.66% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -25.55% | -24.46% | -1.09% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -36.30% | -24.46% | -11.84% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -36.30% | -24.46% | -11.84% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -6.68% | -22.05% | +15.37% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -11.26% | -16.16% | +4.90% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.21% | 8.49% | -4.28% |
Volatility
IXN vs. GLD - Volatility Comparison
iShares Global Tech ETF (IXN) has a higher volatility of 12.01% compared to SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) at 7.79%. This indicates that IXN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| IXN | GLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 12.01% | 7.79% | +4.22% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 20.45% | 24.10% | -3.65% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 24.03% | 27.37% | -3.34% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 25.19% | 18.22% | +6.97% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 24.58% | 16.08% | +8.50% |
IXN vs. GLD - Expense Ratio Comparison
IXN has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is higher than GLD's 0.40% expense ratio.
Dividends
IXN vs. GLD - Dividend Comparison
IXN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.78%, while GLD has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GLD SPDR Gold Shares | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
IXN iShares Global Tech ETF | 0.78% | 1.04% | 0.43% | 0.55% | 0.81% | 0.58% | 0.63% | 1.06% | 0.94% | 0.93% | 1.03% | 1.12% |
Frequently Asked Questions
IXN and GLD have a correlation of 0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IXN has higher volatility (12.01%) compared to GLD (7.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IXN dropped -55.67% vs GLD's -45.56%.
On 10-year performance, IXN leads with 25.03% vs 12.15% for GLD. On fees, GLD is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, GLD has been the lower-risk option at 7.79%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, IXN has performed better with a 25.03% return vs 12.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
GLD is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.46% for IXN.
IXN has the higher dividend yield at 0.78%, compared with 0.00% for GLD.
IXN is categorized as Technology Equities, while GLD is Gold. IXN tracks S&P Global Information Technology Sector Index, while GLD tracks LBMA Gold Price PM. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.46% for IXN and 0.40% for GLD.
IXN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 0.87), 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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