SPY vs. GDE

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) and GDE (WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while GDE is a Gold fund actively managed by WisdomTree. SPY is passively managed, while GDE is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, SPY returned 21.35%/yr vs 44.47%/yr for GDE. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SPY charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for GDE.

Performance

SPY vs. GDE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) and WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund (GDE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPY achieves a 8.70% return, which is significantly higher than GDE's 5.74% return.

SPY

• 1D: 0.23%
• 1M: 0.22%
• YTD: 8.70%
• 6M: 8.75%
• 1Y: 24.79%
• 3Y*: 21.35%
• 5Y*: 13.42%
• 10Y*: 15.27%

GDE

• 1D: 0.95%
• 1M: -7.44%
• YTD: 5.74%
• 6M: 8.50%
• 1Y: 47.93%
• 3Y*: 44.47%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SPY vs. GDE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	8.70%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-11.89%
GDE WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund	5.74%	73.76%	44.79%	33.85%	-18.67%

Correlation

The correlation between SPY and GDE is 0.57, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.57
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 18, 2022	0.64

The correlation between SPY and GDE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.57 to 0.64 - a consistent structural relationship.

SPY vs. GDE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPY	GDE
Technology	35.9%	35.6%
Financial Services	11.8%	12.2%
Communication Services	11.3%	12.2%
Consumer Cyclical	10.3%	10.1%
Healthcare	8.4%	8.3%
Industrials	7.8%	7.6%
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	5.5%
Energy	3.6%	3.4%
Utilities	2.4%	2.1%
Real Estate	1.9%	1.6%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.4%

Return for Risk

SPY vs. GDE — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 69
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 75

GDE

GDE Risk / Return Rank: 49
GDE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
GDE Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
GDE Omega Ratio Rank: 54
GDE Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
GDE Martin Ratio Rank: 43

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.

SPY vs. GDE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) and WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund (GDE). 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.

	SPY	GDE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.06	1.66	+0.40
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.78	2.07	+0.71
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.31	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.80	2.13	+0.68
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.93	6.49	+6.44
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPY vs. GDE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPY Sharpe Ratio is 2.06, which is comparable to the GDE Sharpe Ratio of 1.66. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPY and GDE, 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

	SPY	GDE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.06	1.66	+0.40
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.58	1.10	-0.52

Drawdowns

SPY vs. GDE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPY drawdown since its inception was -55.19%, which is greater than GDE's maximum drawdown of -32.01%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPY and GDE.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPY	GDE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.19%	-32.01%	-23.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.88%	-22.66%	+13.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.76%	-22.66%	+3.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.50%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.72%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.68%	-14.44%	+11.76%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.04%	-7.90%	-1.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.92%	7.40%	-5.48%

Volatility

SPY vs. GDE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) is 3.72%, while WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund (GDE) has a volatility of 8.25%. This indicates that SPY experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GDE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPY	GDE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.72%	8.25%	-4.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.31%	25.04%	-15.73%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.10%	29.09%	-16.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.09%	26.26%	-9.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.96%	26.26%	-8.30%

SPY vs. GDE - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPY has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than GDE's 0.20% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SPY vs. GDE - Dividend Comparison

SPY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.00%, less than GDE's 4.09% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GDE WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund	4.09%	4.32%	7.14%	2.22%	0.81%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.00%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPY and GDE in my portfolio?

SPY and GDE have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPY or GDE?

GDE has higher volatility (8.25%) compared to SPY (3.72%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPY dropped -55.19% vs GDE's -32.01%.

Which ETF is better, SPY or GDE?

On 3-year performance, GDE leads with 44.47% vs 21.35% for SPY. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 3.72%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPY or GDE?

Over the 3-year period, GDE has performed better with a 44.47% return vs 21.35%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPY or GDE?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for GDE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SPY or GDE?

GDE has the higher dividend yield at 4.09%, compared with 1.00% for SPY.

What is the main difference between SPY and GDE?

SPY is categorized as S&P 500, while GDE is Gold. They also come from different issuers: State Street and WisdomTree. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for SPY and 0.20% for GDE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.06 vs 1.66), 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.