VEU vs. GLTR
VEU (Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF) and GLTR (abrdn Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VEU is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE All-World ex US Index, while GLTR is a Precious Metals fund tracking the ETFS Physical Precious Metals Basket Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VEU returned 10.41%/yr vs 12.08%/yr for GLTR. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VEU charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for GLTR.
Performance
VEU vs. GLTR - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VEU achieves a 14.08% return, which is significantly higher than GLTR's -4.66% return. Over the past 10 years, VEU has underperformed GLTR with an annualized return of 10.41%, while GLTR has yielded a comparatively higher 12.08% annualized return.
VEU
- 1D
- 0.40%
- 1M
- 3.43%
- YTD
- 14.08%
- 6M
- 15.91%
- 1Y
- 30.59%
- 3Y*
- 18.67%
- 5Y*
- 8.56%
- 10Y*
- 10.41%
GLTR
- 1D
- 0.30%
- 1M
- -9.08%
- YTD
- -4.66%
- 6M
- 0.76%
- 1Y
- 38.86%
- 3Y*
- 29.97%
- 5Y*
- 14.04%
- 10Y*
- 12.08%
VEU vs. GLTR - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VEU Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF | 14.08% | 32.35% | 5.56% | 15.84% | -15.58% | 8.27% | 11.10% | 21.83% | -14.18% | 27.40% |
GLTR abrdn Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF | -4.66% | 87.25% | 20.63% | 2.01% | -0.25% | -9.60% | 29.52% | 20.96% | -2.85% | 12.94% |
Correlation
The correlation between VEU and GLTR is 0.46, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.46 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.45 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.44 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.36 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 22, 2010 | 0.31 |
The correlation between VEU and GLTR shifts across timeframes, from 0.31 (all time) to 0.46 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VEU vs. GLTR — Risk / Return Rank
VEU
GLTR
VEU vs. GLTR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF (VEU) and abrdn Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF (GLTR). 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.
| VEU | GLTR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.75 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.10 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.33 | 1.22 | +0.11 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.53 | 1.17 | +1.36 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.70 | 2.88 | +6.83 |
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Drawdowns
VEU vs. GLTR - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VEU drawdown since its inception was -61.52%, which is greater than GLTR's maximum drawdown of -55.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEU and GLTR.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VEU | GLTR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -61.52% | -55.70% | -5.82% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.43% | -34.09% | +22.66% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -13.69% | -34.09% | +20.40% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -29.14% | -34.09% | +4.95% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -34.98% | -34.09% | -0.89% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.42% | -31.27% | +29.85% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -13.12% | -28.82% | +15.70% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.99% | 13.86% | -10.87% |
Volatility
VEU vs. GLTR - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF (VEU) is 6.77%, while abrdn Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF (GLTR) has a volatility of 10.43%. This indicates that VEU experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GLTR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VEU | GLTR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.77% | 10.43% | -3.66% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.06% | 36.24% | -22.18% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.18% | 38.40% | -22.22% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.23% | 23.87% | -7.64% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.25% | 20.64% | -3.39% |
VEU vs. GLTR - Expense Ratio Comparison
VEU has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than GLTR's 0.60% expense ratio.
Dividends
VEU vs. GLTR - Dividend Comparison
VEU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.62%, while GLTR has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GLTR abrdn Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VEU Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF | 2.62% | 3.09% | 3.24% | 3.32% | 3.12% | 3.08% | 2.00% | 3.10% | 3.27% | 2.66% | 2.96% | 2.95% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VEU and GLTR have a correlation of 0.46, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GLTR has higher volatility (10.43%) compared to VEU (6.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VEU dropped -61.52% vs GLTR's -55.70%.
On 10-year performance, GLTR leads with 12.08% vs 10.41% for VEU. On fees, VEU is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, VEU has been the lower-risk option at 6.77%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, GLTR has performed better with a 12.08% return vs 10.41%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VEU is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for GLTR.
VEU has the higher dividend yield at 2.62%, compared with 0.00% for GLTR.
VEU is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while GLTR is Precious Metals. VEU tracks FTSE All-World ex US Index, while GLTR tracks ETFS Physical Precious Metals Basket Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and abrdn. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for VEU and 0.60% for GLTR.
VEU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.79 vs 1.04), 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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