MED vs. GLD

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

MED (Medifast, Inc.) is a stock, while GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) is Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM. Over the past 10 years, MED returned -7.29%/yr vs 12.15%/yr for GLD. At a 0.04 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

MED vs. GLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Medifast, Inc. (MED) 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, MED achieves a 11.33% return, which is significantly higher than GLD's -2.47% return. Over the past 10 years, MED has underperformed GLD with an annualized return of -7.29%, while GLD has yielded a comparatively higher 12.15% annualized return.

MED

• 1D: -0.25%
• 1M: -4.73%
• YTD: 11.33%
• 6M: -3.80%
• 1Y: -8.40%
• 3Y*: -46.74%
• 5Y*: -45.89%
• 10Y*: -7.29%

GLD

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: -7.37%
• YTD: -2.47%
• 6M: -2.25%
• 1Y: 22.21%
• 3Y*: 28.89%
• 5Y*: 17.08%
• 10Y*: 12.15%

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

MED vs. GLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MED Medifast, Inc.	11.33%	-39.39%	-73.79%	-38.34%	-42.31%	9.36%	86.18%	-9.73%	82.11%	72.33%
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 MED and GLD is -0.07, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.07
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.02
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.04
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.03
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 18, 2004	0.04

The correlation between MED and GLD shifts across timeframes, from -0.07 (1 year) to 0.04 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

MED vs. GLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

MED

MED Risk / Return Rank: 33
MED Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
MED Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
MED Omega Ratio Rank: 31
MED Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
MED Martin Ratio Rank: 35

GLD

GLD Risk / Return Rank: 26
GLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
GLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
GLD Omega Ratio Rank: 30
GLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
GLD Martin Ratio Rank: 24

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.

MED vs. GLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Medifast, Inc. (MED) 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.

	MED	GLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.23	0.87	-1.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.07	1.24	-1.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.99	1.18	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.26	0.98	-1.24
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.44	2.81	-3.25

MED vs. GLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MED Sharpe Ratio is -0.23, which is lower than the GLD Sharpe Ratio of 0.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MED 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.

Drawdowns

MED vs. GLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MED drawdown since its inception was -98.40%, which is greater than GLD's maximum drawdown of -45.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MED and GLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	MED	GLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-98.40%	-45.56%	-52.84%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-37.39%	-24.46%	-12.93%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-90.91%	-24.46%	-66.45%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-96.29%	-24.46%	-71.83%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-96.76%	-24.46%	-72.30%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-95.96%	-22.05%	-73.91%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-50.84%	-16.16%	-34.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	21.83%	8.49%	+13.34%

Volatility

MED vs. GLD - Volatility Comparison

Medifast, Inc. (MED) has a higher volatility of 8.94% compared to SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) at 7.79%. This indicates that MED'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

	MED	GLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.94%	7.79%	+1.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	31.69%	24.10%	+7.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	41.90%	27.37%	+14.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	45.25%	18.22%	+27.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	47.68%	16.08%	+31.60%

Dividends

MED vs. GLD - Dividend Comparison

Neither MED nor GLD has 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%
MED Medifast, Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	7.36%	5.69%	2.71%	2.30%	3.08%	1.75%	2.06%	2.57%	0.82%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MED and GLD in my portfolio?

MED and GLD have a correlation of -0.07, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MED or GLD?

MED has higher volatility (8.94%) compared to GLD (7.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MED dropped -98.40% vs GLD's -45.56%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.87 vs -0.23), 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.