SIMS vs. GLD
SIMS (SPDR S&P Kensho Intelligent Structures ETF) and GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - SIMS is a Global Equities fund tracking the S&P Kensho Intelligent Infrastructure Index, while GLD is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SIMS returned 0.17%/yr vs 16.95%/yr for GLD. Their 0.10 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. SIMS charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for GLD.
Performance
SIMS vs. GLD - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SIMS achieves a 5.98% return, which is significantly higher than GLD's -6.25% return.
SIMS
- 1D
- 0.31%
- 1M
- -2.75%
- 6M
- 0.76%
- YTD
- 5.98%
- 1Y
- 20.81%
- 3Y*
- 6.15%
- 5Y*
- 0.17%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 5.68%
GLD
- 1D
- -1.49%
- 1M
- -1.74%
- 6M
- -16.50%
- YTD
- -6.25%
- 1Y
- 20.20%
- 3Y*
- 27.22%
- 5Y*
- 16.95%
- 10Y*
- 11.05%
- ALL TIME*
- 10.28%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $2.38B | $2.40B | $2.72B | |
| $11.54K | $25.32K | $26.77K |
SIMS vs. GLD - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SIMS SPDR S&P Kensho Intelligent Structures ETF | 5.98% | 23.75% | -0.27% | 7.43% | -27.13% | 9.00% | 29.88% | 35.30% | -18.07% | 0.03% |
GLD SPDR Gold Shares | -6.25% | 63.68% | 26.66% | 12.69% | -0.77% | -4.15% | 24.81% | 17.86% | -1.94% | 1.54% |
Correlation
The correlation between SIMS and GLD is 0.27, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.27 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.18 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.16 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 27, 2017 | 0.10 |
The correlation between SIMS and GLD shifts across timeframes, from 0.10 (all time) to 0.27 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
SIMS vs. GLD — Risk / Return Rank
SIMS
GLD
SIMS vs. GLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Kensho Intelligent Structures ETF (SIMS) 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.
| SIMS | GLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.05 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 0.00 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.14 | 1.17 | -0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.17 | 0.86 | +0.31 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.91 | 1.86 | +1.04 |
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Drawdowns
SIMS vs. GLD - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SIMS drawdown since its inception was -43.97%, roughly equal to the maximum GLD drawdown of -45.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SIMS and GLD.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SIMS | GLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -43.97% | -45.56% | +1.59% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -15.79% | -26.40% | +10.61% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -28.70% | -26.40% | -2.30% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -43.97% | -26.40% | -17.57% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -26.40% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -6.95% | -25.08% | +18.13% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -15.87% | -16.21% | +0.34% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 6.36% | 12.18% | -5.82% |
Volatility
SIMS vs. GLD - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for SPDR S&P Kensho Intelligent Structures ETF (SIMS) is 5.59%, while SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) has a volatility of 6.40%. This indicates that SIMS 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.
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Volatility by Period
| SIMS | GLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.59% | 6.40% | -0.81% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.34% | 23.52% | -8.18% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 24.52% | 28.13% | -3.61% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 25.26% | 18.49% | +6.77% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 25.98% | 16.14% | +9.84% |
SIMS vs. GLD - Expense Ratio Comparison
SIMS has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than GLD's 0.40% expense ratio.
Dividends
SIMS vs. GLD - Dividend Comparison
SIMS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.56%, while GLD has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GLD SPDR Gold Shares | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
SIMS SPDR S&P Kensho Intelligent Structures ETF | 0.56% | 0.66% | 0.88% | 1.49% | 1.48% | 0.97% | 0.58% | 1.24% | 0.85% |
Frequently Asked Questions
SIMS and GLD have a correlation of 0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GLD has higher volatility (6.40%) compared to SIMS (5.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SIMS dropped -43.97% vs GLD's -45.56%.
On 5-year performance, GLD leads with 16.95% vs 0.17% for SIMS. On fees, GLD is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, SIMS has been the lower-risk option at 5.59%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, GLD has performed better with a 16.95% return vs 0.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
GLD is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for SIMS.
SIMS has the higher dividend yield at 0.56%, compared with 0.00% for GLD.
SIMS is categorized as Global Equities, while GLD is Gold. SIMS tracks S&P Kensho Intelligent Infrastructure Index, while GLD tracks LBMA Gold Price PM. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for SIMS and 0.40% for GLD.
GLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.81 vs 0.76), 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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