QLENX vs. GLD

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

QLENX (AQR Long-Short Equity Fund Class N) and GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) are both funds - QLENX is a Long-Short fund actively managed by AQR Funds, while GLD is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM. QLENX is actively managed, while GLD is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QLENX returned 11.68%/yr vs 12.15%/yr for GLD. At a correlation of -0.03, they often move in opposite directions. QLENX charges 1.57%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for GLD.

Performance

QLENX vs. GLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AQR Long-Short Equity Fund Class N (QLENX) 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, QLENX achieves a -1.51% return, which is significantly higher than GLD's -2.47% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with QLENX having a 11.68% annualized return and GLD not far ahead at 12.15%.

QLENX

• 1D: 0.90%
• 1M: 0.25%
• YTD: -1.51%
• 6M: -0.07%
• 1Y: 14.37%
• 3Y*: 25.84%
• 5Y*: 21.74%
• 10Y*: 11.68%

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)

QLENX vs. GLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QLENX AQR Long-Short Equity Fund Class N	-1.51%	34.07%	30.18%	23.67%	18.92%	30.70%	-14.18%	1.01%	-16.64%	15.48%
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 QLENX and GLD is 0.10, 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	0.10
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.05
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.05
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.03
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 16, 2013	-0.03

The correlation between QLENX and GLD shifts across timeframes, from -0.03 (all time) to 0.10 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

QLENX vs. GLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

QLENX

QLENX Risk / Return Rank: 64
QLENX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
QLENX Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
QLENX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
QLENX Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
QLENX Martin Ratio Rank: 43

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.

QLENX vs. GLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AQR Long-Short Equity Fund Class N (QLENX) 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.

	QLENX	GLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.00	0.87	+1.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.93	1.24	+1.69
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.18	+0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.43	0.98	+1.45
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.52	2.81	+4.71

QLENX vs. GLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QLENX Sharpe Ratio is 2.00, which is higher than the GLD Sharpe Ratio of 0.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QLENX 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

QLENX vs. GLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QLENX drawdown since its inception was -38.50%, smaller than the maximum GLD drawdown of -45.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QLENX and GLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	QLENX	GLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.50%	-45.56%	+7.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.09%	-24.46%	+18.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.09%	-24.46%	+17.37%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.19%	-24.46%	+7.27%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.50%	-24.46%	-14.04%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.13%	-22.05%	+19.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.47%	-16.16%	+8.69%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.97%	8.49%	-6.52%

Volatility

QLENX vs. GLD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for AQR Long-Short Equity Fund Class N (QLENX) is 2.67%, while SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) has a volatility of 7.79%. This indicates that QLENX 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

	QLENX	GLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.67%	7.79%	-5.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.80%	24.10%	-18.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.39%	27.37%	-19.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.09%	18.22%	-8.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.59%	16.08%	-5.49%

QLENX vs. GLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

QLENX has a 1.57% expense ratio, which is higher than GLD's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

QLENX vs. GLD - Dividend Comparison

QLENX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.66%, 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%
QLENX AQR Long-Short Equity Fund Class N	1.66%	1.64%	7.13%	21.21%	14.09%	0.00%	1.59%	0.00%	6.09%	8.91%	2.87%	4.91%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QLENX and GLD in my portfolio?

QLENX and GLD have a correlation of 0.10, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QLENX or GLD?

GLD has higher volatility (7.79%) compared to QLENX (2.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QLENX dropped -38.50% vs GLD's -45.56%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QLENX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.00 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.