SGOL vs. GLD
SGOL (abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF) and GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) are both Gold funds - SGOL tracks the LBMA Gold Price PM ($/ozt) while GLD tracks the LBMA Gold Price PM. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SGOL returned 11.79%/yr vs 11.59%/yr for GLD. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. SGOL charges 0.17%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for GLD.
Performance
SGOL vs. GLD - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with SGOL having a -4.70% return and GLD slightly lower at -4.79%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with SGOL having a 11.79% annualized return and GLD not far behind at 11.59%.
SGOL
- 1D
- -1.86%
- 1M
- -8.83%
- YTD
- -4.70%
- 6M
- -8.63%
- 1Y
- 21.55%
- 3Y*
- 28.71%
- 5Y*
- 18.11%
- 10Y*
- 11.79%
GLD
- 1D
- -1.89%
- 1M
- -8.82%
- YTD
- -4.79%
- 6M
- -8.78%
- 1Y
- 21.29%
- 3Y*
- 28.41%
- 5Y*
- 17.84%
- 10Y*
- 11.59%
SGOL vs. GLD - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SGOL abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF | -4.70% | 63.99% | 26.90% | 12.99% | -0.51% | -3.94% | 25.03% | 18.21% | -1.94% | 12.86% |
GLD SPDR Gold Shares | -4.79% | 63.68% | 26.66% | 12.69% | -0.77% | -4.15% | 24.81% | 17.86% | -1.94% | 12.81% |
Correlation
The correlation between SGOL and GLD is 1.00 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.00 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 1.00 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 1.00 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.99 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 9, 2009 | 0.99 |
The correlation between SGOL and GLD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.99 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
SGOL vs. GLD — Risk / Return Rank
SGOL
GLD
SGOL vs. GLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF (SGOL) 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.
| SGOL | GLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.02 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.02 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.17 | 1.17 | 0.00 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.89 | 0.87 | +0.01 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.38 | 2.35 | +0.04 |
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Drawdowns
SGOL vs. GLD - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SGOL drawdown since its inception was -45.51%, roughly equal to the maximum GLD drawdown of -45.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SGOL and GLD.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SGOL | GLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -45.51% | -45.56% | +0.05% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -24.37% | -24.46% | +0.09% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -24.37% | -24.46% | +0.09% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.37% | -24.46% | +0.09% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -24.37% | -24.46% | +0.09% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -23.85% | -23.91% | +0.06% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -18.42% | -16.17% | -2.25% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 9.06% | 9.10% | -0.04% |
Volatility
SGOL vs. GLD - Volatility Comparison
abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF (SGOL) and SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) have volatilities of 8.11% and 8.18%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| SGOL | GLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.11% | 8.18% | -0.07% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 24.14% | 24.38% | -0.24% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 27.28% | 27.57% | -0.29% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.13% | 18.24% | -0.11% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.00% | 16.04% | -0.04% |
SGOL vs. GLD - Expense Ratio Comparison
SGOL has a 0.17% expense ratio, which is lower than GLD's 0.40% expense ratio.
Dividends
SGOL vs. GLD - Dividend Comparison
Neither SGOL nor GLD has paid dividends to shareholders.
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 1.00, SGOL and GLD move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
GLD has higher volatility (8.18%) compared to SGOL (8.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SGOL dropped -45.51% vs GLD's -45.56%.
On 10-year performance, SGOL leads with 11.79% vs 11.59% for GLD. On fees, SGOL is cheaper at 0.17% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, SGOL has performed better with a 11.79% return vs 11.59%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SGOL is cheaper with a 0.17% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for GLD.
SGOL and GLD have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.
SGOL tracks LBMA Gold Price PM ($/ozt), while GLD tracks LBMA Gold Price PM. They also come from different issuers: abrdn and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.17% for SGOL and 0.40% for GLD.
SGOL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.79 vs 0.78), 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.
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