LDEM vs. GLD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

LDEM (iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF) and GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - LDEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the MSCI EM Extended ESG Leaders 5% Issuer Capped Index, while GLD is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, LDEM returned 1.89%/yr vs 18.15%/yr for GLD. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. LDEM charges 0.16%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for GLD.

Performance

LDEM vs. GLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF (LDEM) and SPDR Gold Shares (GLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LDEM achieves a 6.92% return, which is significantly higher than GLD's 2.92% return.

LDEM

• 1D: -1.61%
• 1M: 0.72%
• YTD: 6.92%
• 6M: 7.76%
• 1Y: 25.33%
• 3Y*: 15.06%
• 5Y*: 1.89%
• 10Y*: —

GLD

• 1D: -0.99%
• 1M: -1.65%
• YTD: 2.92%
• 6M: 5.43%
• 1Y: 32.04%
• 3Y*: 31.09%
• 5Y*: 18.15%
• 10Y*: 13.12%

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

LDEM vs. GLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
LDEM iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF	6.92%	32.49%	5.87%	6.49%	-22.46%	-2.03%	15.59%
GLD SPDR Gold Shares	2.92%	63.68%	26.66%	12.69%	-0.77%	-4.15%	20.89%

Correlation

The correlation between LDEM and GLD is 0.35, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.35
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.33
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.31
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 13, 2020	0.30

LDEM vs. GLD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	LDEM	GLD
Financial Services	28.2%	-
Consumer Cyclical	14.0%	-
Technology	13.0%	-
Communication Services	11.2%	-
Industrials	8.0%	-
Basic Materials	7.8%	100.0%
Energy	5.3%	-
Healthcare	4.3%	-
Consumer Defensive	3.6%	-
Utilities	2.9%	-
Real Estate	1.7%	-

Return for Risk

LDEM vs. GLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

LDEM

LDEM Risk / Return Rank: 40
LDEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
LDEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
LDEM Omega Ratio Rank: 42
LDEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
LDEM Martin Ratio Rank: 40

GLD

GLD Risk / Return Rank: 32
GLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
GLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
GLD Omega Ratio Rank: 35
GLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
GLD Martin Ratio Rank: 28

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.

LDEM vs. GLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF (LDEM) 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.

	LDEM	GLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.44	1.21	+0.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.03	1.60	+0.43
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.24	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.93	1.68	+0.25
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.33	4.15	+2.18
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LDEM vs. GLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LDEM Sharpe Ratio is 1.44, which is comparable to the GLD Sharpe Ratio of 1.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LDEM and GLD, 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

	LDEM	GLD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.44	1.21	+0.23
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.10	1.01	-0.91
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.83	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.27	0.60	-0.33

Drawdowns

LDEM vs. GLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LDEM drawdown since its inception was -40.82%, smaller than the maximum GLD drawdown of -45.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LDEM and GLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	LDEM	GLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.82%	-45.56%	+4.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.21%	-19.21%	+6.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.12%	-19.21%	+4.09%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-39.17%	-21.03%	-18.14%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-22.00%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.92%	-17.75%	+13.83%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.36%	-16.16%	-1.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.01%	7.73%	-3.72%

Volatility

LDEM vs. GLD - Volatility Comparison

iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF (LDEM) has a higher volatility of 6.08% compared to SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) at 5.51%. This indicates that LDEM'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.

Volatility by Period

	LDEM	GLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.08%	5.51%	+0.57%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.90%	23.16%	-9.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.68%	26.61%	-8.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.09%	18.00%	+1.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.73%	15.95%	+4.78%

LDEM vs. GLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

LDEM has a 0.16% expense ratio, which is lower than GLD's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

LDEM vs. GLD - Dividend Comparison

LDEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.04%, while GLD has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
GLD SPDR Gold Shares	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
LDEM iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF	3.04%	3.26%	2.64%	3.20%	4.93%	1.82%	1.89%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LDEM and GLD in my portfolio?

LDEM and GLD have a correlation of 0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LDEM or GLD?

LDEM has higher volatility (6.08%) compared to GLD (5.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LDEM dropped -40.82% vs GLD's -45.56%.

Which ETF is better, LDEM or GLD?

On 5-year performance, GLD leads with 18.15% vs 1.89% for LDEM. On fees, LDEM is cheaper at 0.16% per year. On volatility, GLD has been the lower-risk option at 5.51%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LDEM or GLD?

Over the 5-year period, GLD has performed better with a 18.15% return vs 1.89%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LDEM or GLD?

LDEM is cheaper with a 0.16% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for GLD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, LDEM or GLD?

LDEM has the higher dividend yield at 3.04%, compared with 0.00% for GLD.

What is the main difference between LDEM and GLD?

LDEM is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while GLD is Gold. LDEM tracks MSCI EM Extended ESG Leaders 5% Issuer Capped Index, while GLD tracks LBMA Gold Price PM. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.16% for LDEM and 0.40% for GLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LDEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.44 vs 1.21), 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.