TAGS vs. GLD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TAGS (Teucrium Agricultural Fund) and GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - TAGS is a Agricultural Commodities fund tracking the Teucrium TAGS Index, while GLD is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, TAGS returned -1.74%/yr vs 13.12%/yr for GLD. At a 0.06 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. TAGS charges 0.21%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for GLD.

Performance

TAGS vs. GLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Teucrium Agricultural Fund (TAGS) 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, TAGS achieves a 6.11% return, which is significantly higher than GLD's 2.92% return. Over the past 10 years, TAGS has underperformed GLD with an annualized return of -1.74%, while GLD has yielded a comparatively higher 13.12% annualized return.

TAGS

• 1D: -1.20%
• 1M: -5.48%
• YTD: 6.11%
• 6M: 4.04%
• 1Y: -0.95%
• 3Y*: -7.08%
• 5Y*: -1.51%
• 10Y*: -1.74%

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)

TAGS vs. GLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TAGS Teucrium Agricultural Fund	6.11%	-8.76%	-14.57%	-6.11%	16.25%	27.05%	8.19%	-4.53%	-7.10%	-13.94%
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 TAGS and GLD is -0.06, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.06
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.02
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.10
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.06
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 29, 2012	0.06

The correlation between TAGS and GLD shifts across timeframes, from -0.06 (1 year) to 0.10 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

TAGS vs. GLD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	TAGS	GLD
Financial Services	99.9%	-
Basic Materials	-	100.0%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

TAGS vs. GLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

TAGS

TAGS Risk / Return Rank: 8
TAGS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
TAGS Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
TAGS Omega Ratio Rank: 7
TAGS Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
TAGS Martin Ratio Rank: 8

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.

TAGS vs. GLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Teucrium Agricultural Fund (TAGS) 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.

	TAGS	GLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.08	1.21	-1.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.02	1.60	-1.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.00	1.24	-0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.09	1.68	-1.77
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.16	4.15	-4.31
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TAGS vs. GLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TAGS Sharpe Ratio is -0.08, which is lower than the GLD Sharpe Ratio of 1.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TAGS 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

	TAGS	GLD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.08	1.21	-1.29
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.09	1.01	-1.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.10	0.83	-0.92
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.23	0.60	-0.83

Drawdowns

TAGS vs. GLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TAGS drawdown since its inception was -76.40%, which is greater than GLD's maximum drawdown of -45.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TAGS and GLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	TAGS	GLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-76.40%	-45.56%	-30.84%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.07%	-19.21%	+9.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-33.59%	-19.21%	-14.38%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.60%	-21.03%	-16.57%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.30%	-22.00%	-25.30%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-63.69%	-17.75%	-45.94%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-57.23%	-16.16%	-41.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.88%	7.73%	-1.85%

Volatility

TAGS vs. GLD - Volatility Comparison

Teucrium Agricultural Fund (TAGS) and SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) have volatilities of 5.52% 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

	TAGS	GLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.52%	5.51%	+0.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.12%	23.16%	-13.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.61%	26.61%	-14.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.58%	18.00%	-1.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.04%	15.95%	+2.09%

TAGS vs. GLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

TAGS has a 0.21% expense ratio, which is lower than GLD's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

TAGS vs. GLD - Dividend Comparison

Neither TAGS nor GLD has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TAGS and GLD in my portfolio?

TAGS and GLD have a correlation of -0.06, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TAGS or GLD?

TAGS has higher volatility (5.52%) compared to GLD (5.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TAGS dropped -76.40% vs GLD's -45.56%.

Which ETF is better, TAGS or GLD?

On 10-year performance, GLD leads with 13.12% vs -1.74% for TAGS. On fees, TAGS is cheaper at 0.21% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TAGS or GLD?

Over the 10-year period, GLD has performed better with a 13.12% return vs -1.74%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TAGS or GLD?

TAGS is cheaper with a 0.21% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for GLD.

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

TAGS and GLD have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between TAGS and GLD?

TAGS is categorized as Agricultural Commodities, while GLD is Gold. TAGS tracks Teucrium TAGS Index, while GLD tracks LBMA Gold Price PM. They also come from different issuers: Teucrium and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.21% for TAGS and 0.40% for GLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.21 vs -0.08), 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.