SMLV vs. GLD
Compare and contrast key facts about SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF (SMLV) and SPDR Gold Shares (GLD).
SMLV and GLD are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. SMLV is a passively managed fund by State Street that tracks the performance of the SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index. It was launched on Feb 20, 2013. GLD is a passively managed fund by State Street that tracks the performance of the LBMA Gold Price PM. It was launched on Nov 18, 2004. Both SMLV and GLD are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.
Performance
SMLV vs. GLD - Performance Comparison
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SMLV vs. GLD - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SMLV SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF | 5.10% | 5.66% | 16.77% | 7.52% | -7.69% | 27.67% | -1.55% | 24.10% | -6.62% | 5.68% |
GLD SPDR Gold Shares | 8.57% | 63.68% | 26.66% | 12.69% | -0.77% | -4.15% | 24.81% | 17.86% | -1.94% | 12.81% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SMLV achieves a 5.10% return, which is significantly lower than GLD's 8.57% return. Over the past 10 years, SMLV has underperformed GLD with an annualized return of 9.50%, while GLD has yielded a comparatively higher 13.92% annualized return.
SMLV
- 1D
- 1.29%
- 1M
- -2.65%
- YTD
- 5.10%
- 6M
- 7.05%
- 1Y
- 14.56%
- 3Y*
- 12.30%
- 5Y*
- 6.79%
- 10Y*
- 9.50%
GLD
- 1D
- 3.79%
- 1M
- -11.05%
- YTD
- 8.57%
- 6M
- 21.05%
- 1Y
- 49.33%
- 3Y*
- 32.92%
- 5Y*
- 21.58%
- 10Y*
- 13.92%
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SMLV vs. GLD - Expense Ratio Comparison
SMLV has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is lower than GLD's 0.40% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
SMLV vs. GLD — Risk / Return Rank
SMLV
GLD
SMLV vs. GLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF (SMLV) 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.
| SMLV | GLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 0.78 | 1.79 | -1.00 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.21 | 2.21 | -1.00 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.16 | 1.33 | -0.17 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.31 | 2.68 | -1.37 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.41 | 9.90 | -5.50 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| SMLV | GLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.78 | 1.79 | -1.00 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.37 | 1.22 | -0.85 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.45 | 0.88 | -0.42 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.52 | 0.62 | -0.10 |
Correlation
The correlation between SMLV and GLD is -0.02. This indicates that the assets' prices tend to move in opposite directions. Negative correlation can be particularly beneficial for diversification and risk management, as one asset may offset the losses of the other during market fluctuations.
Dividends
SMLV vs. GLD - Dividend Comparison
SMLV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.52%, while GLD has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SMLV SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF | 2.52% | 2.74% | 2.68% | 2.68% | 2.40% | 2.12% | 2.47% | 2.62% | 3.15% | 7.92% | 3.04% | 2.63% |
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% |
Drawdowns
SMLV vs. GLD - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SMLV drawdown since its inception was -42.45%, smaller than the maximum GLD drawdown of -45.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMLV and GLD.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SMLV | GLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -42.45% | -45.56% | +3.11% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.10% | -19.21% | +8.11% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -20.40% | -21.03% | +0.63% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -42.45% | -22.00% | -20.45% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.33% | -13.23% | +8.90% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.52% | -16.17% | +10.65% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.31% | 5.20% | -1.89% |
Volatility
SMLV vs. GLD - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF (SMLV) is 4.80%, while SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) has a volatility of 11.06%. This indicates that SMLV 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
| SMLV | GLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.80% | 11.06% | -6.26% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.57% | 24.30% | -13.73% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.66% | 27.80% | -9.14% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.30% | 17.74% | +0.56% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.96% | 15.87% | +5.09% |