IYZ vs. GLD
IYZ (iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF) and GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - IYZ is a Communications Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Telecommunications Index, while GLD is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IYZ returned 5.94%/yr vs 12.15%/yr for GLD. At a 0.06 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IYZ charges 0.42%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for GLD.
Performance
IYZ vs. GLD - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IYZ achieves a 29.57% return, which is significantly higher than GLD's -2.47% return. Over the past 10 years, IYZ has underperformed GLD with an annualized return of 5.94%, while GLD has yielded a comparatively higher 12.15% annualized return.
IYZ
- 1D
- 1.27%
- 1M
- 0.83%
- YTD
- 29.57%
- 6M
- 32.60%
- 1Y
- 58.27%
- 3Y*
- 28.37%
- 5Y*
- 7.57%
- 10Y*
- 5.94%
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%
IYZ vs. GLD - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IYZ iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF | 29.57% | 29.28% | 20.53% | 3.90% | -30.29% | 11.69% | 4.13% | 16.14% | -8.59% | -11.86% |
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 IYZ and GLD is 0.16, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.16 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.13 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.11 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.06 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 18, 2004 | 0.06 |
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
IYZ vs. GLD — Risk / Return Rank
IYZ
GLD
IYZ vs. GLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF (IYZ) 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.
| IYZ | GLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +2.15 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +2.71 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.52 | 1.18 | +0.34 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 6.54 | 0.98 | +5.56 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 25.99 | 2.81 | +23.18 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
IYZ vs. GLD - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IYZ drawdown since its inception was -77.11%, which is greater than GLD's maximum drawdown of -45.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IYZ and GLD.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| IYZ | GLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -77.11% | -45.56% | -31.55% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.62% | -24.46% | +15.84% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -13.85% | -24.46% | +10.61% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -39.74% | -24.46% | -15.28% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -39.74% | -24.46% | -15.28% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.77% | -22.05% | +17.28% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -40.10% | -16.16% | -23.94% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.17% | 8.49% | -6.32% |
Volatility
IYZ vs. GLD - Volatility Comparison
iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF (IYZ) has a higher volatility of 8.76% compared to SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) at 7.79%. This indicates that IYZ'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.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| IYZ | GLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.76% | 7.79% | +0.97% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.61% | 24.10% | -8.49% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.65% | 27.37% | -8.72% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.88% | 18.22% | +0.66% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.30% | 16.08% | +3.22% |
IYZ vs. GLD - Expense Ratio Comparison
IYZ has a 0.42% expense ratio, which is higher than GLD's 0.40% expense ratio.
Dividends
IYZ vs. GLD - Dividend Comparison
IYZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.53%, 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% |
IYZ iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF | 1.53% | 2.04% | 1.94% | 2.27% | 2.55% | 2.51% | 2.60% | 2.36% | 2.15% | 3.54% | 2.27% | 1.98% |
Frequently Asked Questions
IYZ and GLD have a correlation of 0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IYZ has higher volatility (8.76%) compared to GLD (7.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IYZ dropped -77.11% vs GLD's -45.56%.
On 10-year performance, GLD leads with 12.15% vs 5.94% for IYZ. 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, GLD has performed better with a 12.15% return vs 5.94%. 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 0.42% for IYZ.
IYZ has the higher dividend yield at 1.53%, compared with 0.00% for GLD.
IYZ is categorized as Communications Equities, while GLD is Gold. IYZ tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Telecommunications Index, while GLD tracks LBMA Gold Price PM. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.42% for IYZ and 0.40% for GLD.
IYZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.02 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.
Find the right allocation for IYZ and GLD
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer