VIG vs. GLD
VIG (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF) and GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - VIG is a Dividend fund tracking the S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index, while GLD is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VIG returned 12.79%/yr vs 11.27%/yr for GLD. At a 0.06 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VIG charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for GLD.
Performance
VIG vs. GLD - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VIG achieves a 8.24% return, which is significantly higher than GLD's -7.24% return. Over the past 10 years, VIG has outperformed GLD with an annualized return of 12.79%, while GLD has yielded a comparatively lower 11.27% annualized return.
VIG
- 1D
- -0.70%
- 1M
- 0.75%
- 6M
- 5.43%
- YTD
- 8.24%
- 1Y
- 16.35%
- 3Y*
- 14.50%
- 5Y*
- 10.36%
- 10Y*
- 12.79%
- ALL TIME*
- 10.17%
GLD
- 1D
- -0.22%
- 1M
- -5.04%
- 6M
- -12.74%
- YTD
- -7.24%
- 1Y
- 19.20%
- 3Y*
- 26.36%
- 5Y*
- 16.85%
- 10Y*
- 11.27%
- ALL TIME*
- 10.24%
VIG vs. GLD - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VIG Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF | 8.24% | 14.17% | 16.99% | 14.51% | -9.80% | 23.76% | 15.43% | 29.62% | -2.08% | 22.22% |
GLD SPDR Gold Shares | -7.24% | 63.68% | 26.66% | 12.69% | -0.77% | -4.15% | 24.81% | 17.86% | -1.94% | 12.81% |
Correlation
The correlation between VIG and GLD is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.28 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.17 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.13 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.08 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 27, 2006 | 0.06 |
Over the past year, VIG and GLD have become more correlated (0.28) than their long-term average of 0.06, meaning their price movements have been converging.
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Return for Risk
VIG vs. GLD — Risk / Return Rank
VIG
GLD
VIG vs. GLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) 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.
| VIG | GLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.95 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.37 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.30 | 1.15 | +0.15 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.08 | 0.73 | +1.35 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.39 | 1.71 | +6.68 |
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Drawdowns
VIG vs. GLD - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VIG drawdown since its inception was -46.81%, roughly equal to the maximum GLD drawdown of -45.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VIG and GLD.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VIG | GLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -46.81% | -45.56% | -1.25% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.91% | -26.40% | +18.49% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -14.95% | -26.40% | +11.45% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -20.39% | -26.40% | +6.01% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -31.72% | -26.40% | -5.32% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.33% | -25.87% | +24.54% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.48% | -16.19% | +10.71% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.95% | 11.28% | -9.33% |
Volatility
VIG vs. GLD - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) is 2.08%, while SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) has a volatility of 6.38%. This indicates that VIG 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
| VIG | GLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.08% | 6.38% | -4.30% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 7.67% | 24.20% | -16.53% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 10.03% | 28.06% | -18.03% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.19% | 18.42% | -4.23% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.02% | 16.11% | -0.09% |
VIG vs. GLD - Expense Ratio Comparison
VIG has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than GLD's 0.40% expense ratio.
Dividends
VIG vs. GLD - Dividend Comparison
VIG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.52%, while GLD has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GLD SPDR Gold Shares | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VIG Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF | 1.52% | 1.62% | 1.73% | 1.88% | 1.96% | 1.55% | 1.63% | 1.71% | 2.08% | 1.88% | 2.14% | 2.34% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VIG and GLD have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GLD has higher volatility (6.38%) compared to VIG (2.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VIG dropped -46.81% vs GLD's -45.56%.
On 10-year performance, VIG leads with 12.79% vs 11.27% for GLD. On fees, VIG is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, VIG has been the lower-risk option at 2.08%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VIG has performed better with a 12.79% return vs 11.27%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VIG is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for GLD.
VIG has the higher dividend yield at 1.52%, compared with 0.00% for GLD.
VIG is categorized as Dividend, while GLD is Gold. VIG tracks S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index, while GLD tracks LBMA Gold Price PM. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for VIG and 0.40% for GLD.
VIG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.64 vs 0.69), 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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