VIRT vs. GLD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VIRT (Virtu Financial, Inc.) is a stock, while GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) is Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM. Over the past 10 years, VIRT returned 15.55%/yr vs 13.12%/yr for GLD. At a 0.04 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

VIRT vs. GLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtu Financial, Inc. (VIRT) 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, VIRT achieves a 54.02% return, which is significantly higher than GLD's 2.92% return. Over the past 10 years, VIRT has outperformed GLD with an annualized return of 15.55%, while GLD has yielded a comparatively lower 13.12% annualized return.

VIRT

• 1D: 2.57%
• 1M: 2.98%
• YTD: 54.02%
• 6M: 47.09%
• 1Y: 29.03%
• 3Y*: 45.97%
• 5Y*: 14.00%
• 10Y*: 15.55%

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)

VIRT vs. GLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VIRT Virtu Financial, Inc.	54.02%	-4.24%	83.03%	4.61%	-26.51%	18.58%	64.42%	-34.86%	45.96%	21.52%
GLD SPDR Gold Shares	2.92%	63.68%	26.66%	12.69%	-0.77%	-4.15%	24.81%	17.86%	-1.94%	12.81%

Correlation

The correlation between VIRT and GLD is -0.05, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.05
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.05
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.07
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.05
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 17, 2015	0.04

The correlation between VIRT and GLD shifts across timeframes, from -0.05 (1 year) to 0.07 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VIRT vs. GLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

VIRT

VIRT Risk / Return Rank: 64
VIRT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
VIRT Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
VIRT Omega Ratio Rank: 62
VIRT Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VIRT Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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.

VIRT vs. GLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtu Financial, Inc. (VIRT) 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.

	VIRT	GLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.98	1.21	-0.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.50	1.60	-0.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.24	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.05	1.68	-0.63
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.93	4.15	-2.22
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VIRT vs. GLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VIRT Sharpe Ratio is 0.98, which is comparable to the GLD Sharpe Ratio of 1.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VIRT 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

	VIRT	GLD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.98	1.21	-0.23
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43	1.01	-0.58
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.44	0.83	-0.39
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.35	0.60	-0.25

Drawdowns

VIRT vs. GLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VIRT drawdown since its inception was -56.17%, which is greater than GLD's maximum drawdown of -45.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VIRT and GLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	VIRT	GLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.17%	-45.56%	-10.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-27.83%	-19.21%	-8.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.83%	-19.21%	-8.62%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-54.52%	-21.03%	-33.49%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-56.17%	-22.00%	-34.17%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.36%	-17.75%	+10.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-25.73%	-16.16%	-9.57%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	15.06%	7.73%	+7.33%

Volatility

VIRT vs. GLD - Volatility Comparison

Virtu Financial, Inc. (VIRT) has a higher volatility of 10.67% compared to SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) at 5.51%. This indicates that VIRT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VIRT	GLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.67%	5.51%	+5.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.21%	23.16%	+1.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	29.67%	26.61%	+3.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	32.36%	18.00%	+14.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	35.76%	15.95%	+19.81%

Dividends

VIRT vs. GLD - Dividend Comparison

VIRT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.89%, 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%
VIRT Virtu Financial, Inc.	1.89%	2.88%	2.69%	4.74%	4.70%	3.33%	3.81%	6.00%	3.73%	5.25%	6.02%	2.12%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VIRT and GLD in my portfolio?

VIRT and GLD have a correlation of -0.05, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VIRT or GLD?

VIRT has higher volatility (10.67%) compared to GLD (5.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VIRT dropped -56.17% vs GLD's -45.56%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.21 vs 0.98), 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.