VTTVX vs. GLDM

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

VTTVX (Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 Fund) and GLDM (SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust) are both funds - VTTVX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Vanguard, while GLDM is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM. Over the past 5 years, VTTVX returned 5.66%/yr vs 17.41%/yr for GLDM. At a 0.20 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VTTVX charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for GLDM.

Performance

VTTVX vs. GLDM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 Fund (VTTVX) 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, VTTVX achieves a 5.56% return, which is significantly higher than GLDM's -2.40% return.

VTTVX

• 1D: 1.40%
• 1M: 1.15%
• YTD: 5.56%
• 6M: 6.18%
• 1Y: 15.21%
• 3Y*: 12.18%
• 5Y*: 5.66%
• 10Y*: 7.98%

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)

VTTVX vs. GLDM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
VTTVX Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 Fund	5.56%	14.63%	9.23%	14.76%	-15.57%	9.78%	13.31%	19.63%	-5.09%
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 VTTVX and GLDM is 0.35, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.35
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.29
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2018	0.21

The correlation between VTTVX and GLDM shifts across timeframes, from 0.20 (all time) to 0.35 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VTTVX vs. GLDM — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTTVX

VTTVX Risk / Return Rank: 75
VTTVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
VTTVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
VTTVX Omega Ratio Rank: 75
VTTVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
VTTVX Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

VTTVX vs. GLDM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 Fund (VTTVX) 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.

	VTTVX	GLDM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.05	0.90	+1.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.91	1.26	+1.65
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.19	+0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.66	1.00	+1.66
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.38	2.87	+8.51

VTTVX vs. GLDM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTTVX Sharpe Ratio is 2.05, which is higher than the GLDM Sharpe Ratio of 0.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTTVX 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

VTTVX vs. GLDM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTTVX drawdown since its inception was -46.03%, which is greater than GLDM's maximum drawdown of -24.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTTVX and GLDM.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTTVX	GLDM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.03%	-24.35%	-21.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.57%	-24.35%	+18.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.84%	-24.35%	+16.51%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.52%	-24.35%	+2.83%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.51%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.17%	-21.96%	+20.79%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.05%	-6.27%	+1.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.30%	8.44%	-7.14%

Volatility

VTTVX vs. GLDM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 Fund (VTTVX) is 3.03%, while SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust (GLDM) has a volatility of 7.73%. This indicates that VTTVX 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

	VTTVX	GLDM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.03%	7.73%	-4.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.01%	23.93%	-17.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.23%	27.15%	-19.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.14%	18.13%	-8.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.96%	16.98%	-7.02%

VTTVX vs. GLDM - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTTVX has a 0.08% 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

VTTVX vs. GLDM - Dividend Comparison

VTTVX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.00%, 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%
VTTVX Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 Fund	7.00%	7.38%	7.63%	3.96%	2.96%	16.28%	4.35%	2.57%	3.14%	0.47%	2.68%	4.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTTVX and GLDM in my portfolio?

VTTVX and GLDM have a correlation of 0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTTVX or GLDM?

GLDM has higher volatility (7.73%) compared to VTTVX (3.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTTVX dropped -46.03% vs GLDM's -24.35%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTTVX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.05 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.