USSG vs. GLD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

USSG (Xtrackers MSCI USA ESG Leaders Equity ETF) and GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - USSG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA ESG Leaders, while GLD is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, USSG returned 13.79%/yr vs 18.15%/yr for GLD. At a 0.09 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. USSG charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for GLD.

Performance

USSG vs. GLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Xtrackers MSCI USA ESG Leaders Equity ETF (USSG) 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, USSG achieves a 9.51% return, which is significantly higher than GLD's 2.92% return.

USSG

• 1D: -0.80%
• 1M: 4.67%
• YTD: 9.51%
• 6M: 10.19%
• 1Y: 27.90%
• 3Y*: 22.38%
• 5Y*: 13.79%
• 10Y*: —

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)

USSG vs. GLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
USSG Xtrackers MSCI USA ESG Leaders Equity ETF	9.51%	18.97%	23.45%	29.17%	-20.33%	31.83%	18.71%	19.24%
GLD SPDR Gold Shares	2.92%	63.68%	26.66%	12.69%	-0.77%	-4.15%	24.81%	17.60%

Correlation

The correlation between USSG and GLD 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	0.15
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.11
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 8, 2019	0.09

The correlation between USSG and GLD shifts across timeframes, from 0.09 (all time) to 0.20 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

USSG vs. GLD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	USSG	GLD
Technology	36.9%	-
Communication Services	14.5%	-
Financial Services	10.6%	-
Healthcare	9.6%	-
Consumer Cyclical	8.6%	-
Industrials	8.1%	-
Consumer Defensive	4.2%	-
Real Estate	2.2%	-
Basic Materials	2.1%	100.0%
Energy	2.1%	-
Utilities	1.1%	-

Return for Risk

USSG vs. GLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

USSG

USSG Risk / Return Rank: 60
USSG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
USSG Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
USSG Omega Ratio Rank: 61
USSG Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
USSG Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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.

USSG vs. GLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Xtrackers MSCI USA ESG Leaders Equity ETF (USSG) 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.

	USSG	GLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.14	1.21	+0.93
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.00	1.60	+1.40
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.24	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.50	1.68	+0.83
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.72	4.15	+6.57
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

USSG vs. GLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current USSG Sharpe Ratio is 2.14, which is higher than the GLD Sharpe Ratio of 1.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of USSG 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

	USSG	GLD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.14	1.21	+0.93
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79	1.01	-0.23
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.83	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.84	0.60	+0.24

Drawdowns

USSG vs. GLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum USSG drawdown since its inception was -34.10%, smaller than the maximum GLD drawdown of -45.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USSG and GLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	USSG	GLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.10%	-45.56%	+11.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.20%	-19.21%	+8.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.00%	-19.21%	-0.79%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.00%	-21.03%	-5.97%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-22.00%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.21%	-17.75%	+16.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.60%	-16.16%	+10.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.61%	7.73%	-5.12%

Volatility

USSG vs. GLD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Xtrackers MSCI USA ESG Leaders Equity ETF (USSG) is 3.77%, while SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) has a volatility of 5.51%. This indicates that USSG 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.

Volatility by Period

	USSG	GLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.77%	5.51%	-1.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.04%	23.16%	-13.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.12%	26.61%	-13.49%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.59%	18.00%	-0.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.16%	15.95%	+4.21%

USSG vs. GLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

USSG has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than GLD's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

USSG vs. GLD - Dividend Comparison

USSG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.95%, while GLD has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
GLD SPDR Gold Shares	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
USSG Xtrackers MSCI USA ESG Leaders Equity ETF	0.95%	1.02%	1.13%	1.60%	1.52%	1.13%	1.42%	1.21%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both USSG and GLD in my portfolio?

USSG and GLD 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, USSG or GLD?

GLD has higher volatility (5.51%) compared to USSG (3.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USSG dropped -34.10% vs GLD's -45.56%.

Which ETF is better, USSG or GLD?

On 5-year performance, GLD leads with 18.15% vs 13.79% for USSG. On fees, USSG is cheaper at 0.10% per year. On volatility, USSG has been the lower-risk option at 3.77%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, USSG or GLD?

Over the 5-year period, GLD has performed better with a 18.15% return vs 13.79%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, USSG or GLD?

USSG is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for GLD.

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

USSG has the higher dividend yield at 0.95%, compared with 0.00% for GLD.

What is the main difference between USSG and GLD?

USSG is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while GLD is Gold. USSG tracks MSCI USA ESG Leaders, while GLD tracks LBMA Gold Price PM. They also come from different issuers: Deutsche Bank and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.10% for USSG and 0.40% for GLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

USSG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.14 vs 1.21), 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.