VEXAX vs. GLDM

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

VEXAX (Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Admiral Shares) and GLDM (SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust) are both funds - VEXAX is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while GLDM is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM. Over the past 5 years, VEXAX returned 6.06%/yr vs 17.41%/yr for GLDM. At a 0.09 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VEXAX charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for GLDM.

Performance

VEXAX vs. GLDM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VEXAX) 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, VEXAX achieves a 13.86% return, which is significantly higher than GLDM's -2.40% return.

VEXAX

• 1D: 2.96%
• 1M: 5.63%
• YTD: 13.86%
• 6M: 11.70%
• 1Y: 29.57%
• 3Y*: 18.98%
• 5Y*: 6.06%
• 10Y*: 12.23%

GLDM

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: -7.40%
• YTD: -2.40%
• 6M: -2.09%
• 1Y: 22.58%
• 3Y*: 29.27%
• 5Y*: 17.41%
• 10Y*: —

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

VEXAX vs. GLDM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
VEXAX Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Admiral Shares	13.86%	11.42%	15.47%	26.95%	-26.46%	12.45%	32.22%	28.03%	-15.03%
GLDM SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust	-2.40%	64.20%	27.08%	13.04%	-0.47%	-4.01%	25.10%	18.10%	1.75%

Correlation

The correlation between VEXAX and GLDM is 0.23, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.23
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.19
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.14
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2018	0.09

The correlation between VEXAX and GLDM shifts across timeframes, from 0.09 (all time) to 0.23 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VEXAX vs. GLDM — Risk / Return Rank

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

VEXAX

VEXAX Risk / Return Rank: 51
VEXAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
VEXAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
VEXAX Omega Ratio Rank: 39
VEXAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
VEXAX Martin Ratio Rank: 58

GLDM

GLDM Risk / Return Rank: 27
GLDM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
GLDM Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
GLDM Omega Ratio Rank: 31
GLDM Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
GLDM Martin Ratio Rank: 25

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.

VEXAX vs. GLDM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VEXAX) 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.

	VEXAX	GLDM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.53	0.90	+0.63
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.16	1.26	+0.90
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.19	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.65	1.00	+1.66
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.32	2.87	+6.45

VEXAX vs. GLDM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VEXAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.53, which is higher than the GLDM Sharpe Ratio of 0.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VEXAX 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

VEXAX vs. GLDM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VEXAX drawdown since its inception was -58.08%, which is greater than GLDM's maximum drawdown of -24.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEXAX and GLDM.

Drawdown Indicators

	VEXAX	GLDM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.08%	-24.35%	-33.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.25%	-24.35%	+14.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.84%	-24.35%	-2.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.33%	-24.35%	-11.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.62%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.04%	-21.96%	+20.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.17%	-6.27%	-5.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.92%	8.44%	-5.52%

Volatility

VEXAX vs. GLDM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VEXAX) is 6.48%, while SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust (GLDM) has a volatility of 7.73%. This indicates that VEXAX 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

	VEXAX	GLDM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.48%	7.73%	-1.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.35%	23.93%	-10.58%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.81%	27.15%	-9.34%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.43%	18.13%	+4.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.40%	16.98%	+5.42%

VEXAX vs. GLDM - Expense Ratio Comparison

VEXAX has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than GLDM's 0.10% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VEXAX vs. GLDM - Dividend Comparison

VEXAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.02%, while GLDM has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GLDM SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VEXAX Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.02%	1.14%	1.09%	1.25%	1.15%	1.13%	1.07%	1.30%	1.66%	1.25%	1.43%	1.35%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VEXAX and GLDM in my portfolio?

VEXAX and GLDM have a correlation of 0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VEXAX or GLDM?

GLDM has higher volatility (7.73%) compared to VEXAX (6.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VEXAX dropped -58.08% vs GLDM's -24.35%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEXAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.53 vs 0.90), 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.