SPEU vs. GLD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SPEU (SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF) and GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - SPEU is a Europe Equities fund tracking the STOXX Europe Total Market, while GLD is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SPEU returned 9.17%/yr vs 13.12%/yr for GLD. At a 0.20 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SPEU charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for GLD.

Performance

SPEU vs. GLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF (SPEU) 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, SPEU achieves a 5.34% return, which is significantly higher than GLD's 2.92% return. Over the past 10 years, SPEU has underperformed GLD with an annualized return of 9.17%, while GLD has yielded a comparatively higher 13.12% annualized return.

SPEU

• 1D: -1.25%
• 1M: 2.61%
• YTD: 5.34%
• 6M: 8.65%
• 1Y: 17.93%
• 3Y*: 16.24%
• 5Y*: 8.03%
• 10Y*: 9.17%

GLD

• 1D: -0.99%
• 1M: -1.65%
• YTD: 2.92%
• 6M: 5.43%
• 1Y: 32.04%
• 3Y*: 31.09%
• 5Y*: 18.15%
• 10Y*: 13.12%

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

SPEU vs. GLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPEU SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF	5.34%	35.80%	1.93%	19.85%	-15.97%	16.20%	6.35%	26.15%	-13.79%	23.80%
GLD SPDR Gold Shares	2.92%	63.68%	26.66%	12.69%	-0.77%	-4.15%	24.81%	17.86%	-1.94%	12.81%

Correlation

The correlation between SPEU and GLD is 0.36, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.36
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.34
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.30
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.21
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 19, 2004	0.20

The correlation between SPEU and GLD shifts across timeframes, from 0.20 (all time) to 0.36 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SPEU vs. GLD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPEU	GLD
Financial Services	13.3%	-
Healthcare	10.4%	-
Technology	9.2%	-
Industrials	6.1%	-
Energy	5.3%	-
Consumer Defensive	3.6%	-
Basic Materials	3.4%	100.0%
Consumer Cyclical	3.3%	-
Real Estate	1.6%	-
Utilities	1.5%	-
Communication Services	0.9%	-

Return for Risk

SPEU vs. GLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPEU

SPEU Risk / Return Rank: 32
SPEU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
SPEU Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
SPEU Omega Ratio Rank: 30
SPEU Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
SPEU Martin Ratio Rank: 35

GLD

GLD Risk / Return Rank: 32
GLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
GLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
GLD Omega Ratio Rank: 35
GLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
GLD Martin Ratio Rank: 28

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.

SPEU vs. GLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF (SPEU) 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.

	SPEU	GLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.17	1.21	-0.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.71	1.60	+0.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.24	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.49	1.68	-0.19
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.47	4.15	+1.32
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPEU vs. GLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPEU Sharpe Ratio is 1.17, which is comparable to the GLD Sharpe Ratio of 1.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPEU 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SPEU	GLD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.17	1.21	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46	1.01	-0.55
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50	0.83	-0.33
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.31	0.60	-0.29

Drawdowns

SPEU vs. GLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPEU drawdown since its inception was -62.45%, which is greater than GLD's maximum drawdown of -45.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPEU and GLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPEU	GLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.45%	-45.56%	-16.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.09%	-19.21%	+7.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.17%	-19.21%	+5.04%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.70%	-21.03%	-11.67%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.83%	-22.00%	-14.83%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.56%	-17.75%	+15.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.85%	-16.16%	+2.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.29%	7.73%	-4.44%

Volatility

SPEU vs. GLD - Volatility Comparison

SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF (SPEU) and SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) have volatilities of 5.75% and 5.51%, 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.

Volatility by Period

	SPEU	GLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.75%	5.51%	+0.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.85%	23.16%	-10.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.42%	26.61%	-11.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.51%	18.00%	-0.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.51%	15.95%	+2.56%

SPEU vs. GLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPEU has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than GLD's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPEU vs. GLD - Dividend Comparison

SPEU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.40%, 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%
SPEU SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF	3.40%	3.47%	3.29%	2.91%	3.08%	2.67%	2.29%	3.19%	3.99%	2.82%	3.66%	3.62%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPEU and GLD in my portfolio?

SPEU and GLD have a correlation of 0.36, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPEU or GLD?

SPEU has higher volatility (5.75%) compared to GLD (5.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPEU dropped -62.45% vs GLD's -45.56%.

Which ETF is better, SPEU or GLD?

On 10-year performance, GLD leads with 13.12% vs 9.17% for SPEU. On fees, SPEU is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, GLD has been the lower-risk option at 5.51%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPEU or GLD?

Over the 10-year period, GLD has performed better with a 13.12% return vs 9.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPEU or GLD?

SPEU is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for GLD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SPEU or GLD?

SPEU has the higher dividend yield at 3.40%, compared with 0.00% for GLD.

What is the main difference between SPEU and GLD?

SPEU is categorized as Europe Equities, while GLD is Gold. SPEU tracks STOXX Europe Total Market, while GLD tracks LBMA Gold Price PM. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for SPEU and 0.40% for GLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.21 vs 1.17), 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.