USCI vs. GLDM

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

USCI (United States Commodity Index Fund) and GLDM (SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - USCI is a Commodities fund tracking the SummerHaven Dynamic Commodity (TR), while GLDM is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, USCI returned 18.17%/yr vs 17.40%/yr for GLDM. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. USCI charges 1.03%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for GLDM.

Performance

USCI vs. GLDM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in United States Commodity Index Fund (USCI) and SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust (GLDM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, USCI achieves a 17.51% return, which is significantly higher than GLDM's -7.59% return.

USCI

• 1D: -1.39%
• 1M: -8.39%
• YTD: 17.51%
• 6M: 15.60%
• 1Y: 24.90%
• 3Y*: 19.11%
• 5Y*: 18.17%
• 10Y*: 8.02%

GLDM

• 1D: -3.01%
• 1M: -11.57%
• YTD: -7.59%
• 6M: -11.06%
• 1Y: 19.86%
• 3Y*: 27.48%
• 5Y*: 17.40%
• 10Y*: —

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

USCI vs. GLDM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
USCI United States Commodity Index Fund	17.51%	17.63%	17.24%	-0.00%	29.47%	33.07%	-11.47%	-1.68%	-12.72%
GLDM SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust	-7.59%	64.20%	27.08%	13.04%	-0.47%	-4.01%	25.10%	18.10%	1.75%

Correlation

The correlation between USCI and GLDM is 0.20, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.20
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.29
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.31
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2018	0.31

The correlation between USCI and GLDM shifts across timeframes, from 0.20 (1 year) to 0.31 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

USCI vs. GLDM — Risk / Return Rank

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

USCI

USCI Risk / Return Rank: 48
USCI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
USCI Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
USCI Omega Ratio Rank: 44
USCI Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
USCI Martin Ratio Rank: 53

GLDM

GLDM Risk / Return Rank: 21
GLDM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
GLDM Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
GLDM Omega Ratio Rank: 24
GLDM Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
GLDM Martin Ratio Rank: 20

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.

USCI vs. GLDM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for United States Commodity Index Fund (USCI) and SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust (GLDM). 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.

	USCI	GLDM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.51	0.73	+0.78
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.06	1.07	+0.99
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.16	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.23	0.76	+1.47
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.35	2.17	+6.19

USCI vs. GLDM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current USCI Sharpe Ratio is 1.51, which is higher than the GLDM Sharpe Ratio of 0.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of USCI and GLDM, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

USCI vs. GLDM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum USCI drawdown since its inception was -66.41%, which is greater than GLDM's maximum drawdown of -26.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USCI and GLDM.

Drawdown Indicators

	USCI	GLDM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-66.41%	-26.11%	-40.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.19%	-26.11%	+14.92%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.01%	-26.11%	+14.10%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.84%	-26.11%	+7.27%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.82%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.19%	-26.11%	+14.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-29.43%	-6.33%	-23.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.99%	9.19%	-6.20%

Volatility

USCI vs. GLDM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for United States Commodity Index Fund (USCI) is 3.31%, while SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust (GLDM) has a volatility of 8.56%. This indicates that USCI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GLDM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	USCI	GLDM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.31%	8.56%	-5.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.11%	24.41%	-10.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.65%	27.53%	-10.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.36%	18.20%	+0.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.85%	17.05%	-1.20%

USCI vs. GLDM - Expense Ratio Comparison

USCI has a 1.03% expense ratio, which is higher than GLDM's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

USCI vs. GLDM - Dividend Comparison

Neither USCI nor GLDM has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both USCI and GLDM in my portfolio?

USCI and GLDM have a correlation of 0.20, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, USCI or GLDM?

GLDM has higher volatility (8.56%) compared to USCI (3.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USCI dropped -66.41% vs GLDM's -26.11%.

Which ETF is better, USCI or GLDM?

On 5-year performance, USCI leads with 18.17% vs 17.40% for GLDM. On fees, GLDM is cheaper at 0.10% per year. On volatility, USCI has been the lower-risk option at 3.31%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, USCI or GLDM?

Over the 5-year period, USCI has performed better with a 18.17% return vs 17.40%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, USCI or GLDM?

GLDM is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 1.03% for USCI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, USCI or GLDM?

USCI and GLDM have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between USCI and GLDM?

USCI is categorized as Commodities, while GLDM is Gold. USCI tracks SummerHaven Dynamic Commodity (TR), while GLDM tracks LBMA Gold Price PM. They also come from different issuers: Concierge Technologies and State Street. Their fees differ too: 1.03% for USCI and 0.10% for GLDM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

USCI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.51 vs 0.73), 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.