USMF vs. GLD
USMF (WisdomTree US Multifactor Fund) and GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - USMF is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the WisdomTree US Multifactor Index, while GLD is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, USMF returned 8.31%/yr vs 18.31%/yr for GLD. At a 0.09 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. USMF charges 0.28%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for GLD.
Performance
USMF vs. GLD - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, USMF achieves a 6.65% return, which is significantly higher than GLD's 0.06% return.
USMF
- 1D
- 1.25%
- 1M
- 5.30%
- YTD
- 6.65%
- 6M
- 6.40%
- 1Y
- 9.68%
- 3Y*
- 13.99%
- 5Y*
- 8.31%
- 10Y*
- —
GLD
- 1D
- 2.59%
- 1M
- -4.97%
- YTD
- 0.06%
- 6M
- 0.19%
- 1Y
- 25.38%
- 3Y*
- 29.73%
- 5Y*
- 18.31%
- 10Y*
- 12.33%
USMF vs. GLD - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
USMF WisdomTree US Multifactor Fund | 6.65% | 4.60% | 19.65% | 13.47% | -8.82% | 21.26% | 12.01% | 24.06% | -4.72% | 11.27% |
GLD SPDR Gold Shares | 0.06% | 63.68% | 26.66% | 12.69% | -0.77% | -4.15% | 24.81% | 17.86% | -1.94% | 0.80% |
Correlation
The correlation between USMF and GLD is 0.22, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.22 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.15 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.12 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 24, 2017 | 0.09 |
The correlation between USMF and GLD shifts across timeframes, from 0.09 (all time) to 0.22 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
USMF vs. GLD — Risk / Return Rank
USMF
GLD
USMF vs. GLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree US Multifactor Fund (USMF) 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.
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.
| USMF | GLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.07 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 0.00 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.15 | 1.19 | -0.04 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.50 | 1.04 | +0.46 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.47 | 2.97 | +1.50 |
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Drawdowns
USMF vs. GLD - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum USMF drawdown since its inception was -36.24%, smaller than the maximum GLD drawdown of -45.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USMF and GLD.
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Drawdown Indicators
| USMF | GLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -36.24% | -45.56% | +9.32% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.47% | -24.46% | +17.99% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -15.39% | -24.46% | +9.07% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.10% | -24.46% | +6.36% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -24.46% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -20.03% | +20.03% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.15% | -16.16% | +12.01% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.17% | 8.59% | -6.42% |
Volatility
USMF vs. GLD - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for WisdomTree US Multifactor Fund (USMF) is 4.10%, while SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) has a volatility of 8.37%. This indicates that USMF 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
| USMF | GLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.10% | 8.37% | -4.27% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 8.13% | 24.21% | -16.08% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 11.31% | 27.49% | -16.18% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.34% | 18.26% | -3.92% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.97% | 16.10% | +0.87% |
USMF vs. GLD - Expense Ratio Comparison
USMF has a 0.28% expense ratio, which is lower than GLD's 0.40% expense ratio.
Dividends
USMF vs. GLD - Dividend Comparison
USMF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.29%, while GLD has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GLD SPDR Gold Shares | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
USMF WisdomTree US Multifactor Fund | 1.29% | 1.37% | 1.22% | 1.33% | 1.74% | 1.42% | 1.34% | 1.38% | 1.45% | 0.67% |
Frequently Asked Questions
USMF and GLD have a correlation of 0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GLD has higher volatility (8.37%) compared to USMF (4.10%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USMF dropped -36.24% vs GLD's -45.56%.
On 5-year performance, GLD leads with 18.31% vs 8.31% for USMF. On fees, USMF is cheaper at 0.28% per year. On volatility, USMF has been the lower-risk option at 4.10%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, GLD has performed better with a 18.31% return vs 8.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
USMF is cheaper with a 0.28% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for GLD.
USMF has the higher dividend yield at 1.29%, compared with 0.00% for GLD.
USMF is categorized as Mid Cap Blend Equities, while GLD is Gold. USMF tracks WisdomTree US Multifactor Index, while GLD tracks LBMA Gold Price PM. They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.28% for USMF and 0.40% for GLD.
GLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.93 vs 0.86), 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.
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