LOWV vs. GLD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

LOWV (AB US Low Volatility Equity ETF) and GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - LOWV is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by AllianceBernstein, while GLD is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM. LOWV is actively managed, while GLD is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, LOWV returned 15.49%/yr vs 31.09%/yr for GLD. At a 0.12 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. LOWV charges 0.48%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for GLD.

Performance

LOWV vs. GLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AB US Low Volatility Equity ETF (LOWV) 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, LOWV achieves a 2.73% return, which is significantly lower than GLD's 2.92% return.

LOWV

• 1D: -0.83%
• 1M: 0.85%
• YTD: 2.73%
• 6M: 2.69%
• 1Y: 10.86%
• 3Y*: 15.49%
• 5Y*: —
• 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)

LOWV vs. GLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
LOWV AB US Low Volatility Equity ETF	2.73%	12.26%	20.43%	20.41%
GLD SPDR Gold Shares	2.92%	63.68%	26.66%	4.21%

Correlation

The correlation between LOWV and GLD is 0.20, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.20
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.15
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 23, 2023	0.12

LOWV vs. GLD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	LOWV	GLD
Technology	32.6%	-
Financial Services	14.9%	-
Healthcare	11.4%	-
Communication Services	9.7%	-
Consumer Cyclical	9.4%	-
Industrials	7.4%	-
Consumer Defensive	5.5%	-
Utilities	4.8%	-
Energy	2.4%	-
Real Estate	1.8%	-
Basic Materials	-	100.0%

Return for Risk

LOWV vs. GLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

LOWV

LOWV Risk / Return Rank: 28
LOWV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
LOWV Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
LOWV Omega Ratio Rank: 27
LOWV Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
LOWV Martin Ratio Rank: 31

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.

LOWV vs. GLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AB US Low Volatility Equity ETF (LOWV) 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.

	LOWV	GLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.04	1.21	-0.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.50	1.60	-0.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.24	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.14	1.68	-0.54
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.65	4.15	+0.50
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LOWV vs. GLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LOWV Sharpe Ratio is 1.04, which is comparable to the GLD Sharpe Ratio of 1.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LOWV 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

	LOWV	GLD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.04	1.21	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.01	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.83	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.47	0.60	+0.87

Drawdowns

LOWV vs. GLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LOWV drawdown since its inception was -13.87%, smaller than the maximum GLD drawdown of -45.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LOWV and GLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	LOWV	GLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.87%	-45.56%	+31.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.59%	-19.21%	+9.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.87%	-19.21%	+5.34%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-21.03%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-22.00%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.95%	-17.75%	+16.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.50%	-16.16%	+14.66%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.34%	7.73%	-5.39%

Volatility

LOWV vs. GLD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for AB US Low Volatility Equity ETF (LOWV) is 2.17%, while SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) has a volatility of 5.51%. This indicates that LOWV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LOWV	GLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.17%	5.51%	-3.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.89%	23.16%	-15.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.47%	26.61%	-16.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.95%	18.00%	-6.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.95%	15.95%	-4.00%

LOWV vs. GLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

LOWV has a 0.48% expense ratio, which is higher than GLD's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

LOWV vs. GLD - Dividend Comparison

LOWV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.91%, while GLD has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
GLD SPDR Gold Shares	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
LOWV AB US Low Volatility Equity ETF	0.91%	0.85%	0.92%	0.77%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LOWV and GLD in my portfolio?

LOWV and GLD have a correlation of 0.20, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LOWV or GLD?

GLD has higher volatility (5.51%) compared to LOWV (2.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LOWV dropped -13.87% vs GLD's -45.56%.

Which ETF is better, LOWV or GLD?

On 3-year performance, GLD leads with 31.09% vs 15.49% for LOWV. On fees, GLD is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, LOWV has been the lower-risk option at 2.17%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LOWV or GLD?

Over the 3-year period, GLD has performed better with a 31.09% return vs 15.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LOWV or GLD?

GLD is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.48% for LOWV.

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

LOWV has the higher dividend yield at 0.91%, compared with 0.00% for GLD.

What is the main difference between LOWV and GLD?

LOWV is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while GLD is Gold. They also come from different issuers: AllianceBernstein and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.48% for LOWV and 0.40% for GLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.21 vs 1.04), 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.