VWENX vs. GLDM

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VWENX (Vanguard Wellington Fund Admiral Shares) and GLDM (SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust) are both funds - VWENX is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by Vanguard, while GLDM is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM. VWENX is actively managed, while GLDM is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VWENX returned 8.39%/yr vs 17.89%/yr for GLDM. At a 0.14 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VWENX charges 0.16%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for GLDM.

Performance

VWENX vs. GLDM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Wellington Fund Admiral Shares (VWENX) 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, VWENX achieves a 4.58% return, which is significantly higher than GLDM's 0.30% return.

VWENX

• 1D: -2.04%
• 1M: -0.52%
• YTD: 4.58%
• 6M: 4.98%
• 1Y: 17.54%
• 3Y*: 14.75%
• 5Y*: 8.39%
• 10Y*: 9.96%

GLDM

• 1D: 0.25%
• 1M: -8.41%
• YTD: 0.30%
• 6M: 3.19%
• 1Y: 30.55%
• 3Y*: 30.08%
• 5Y*: 17.89%
• 10Y*: —

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

VWENX vs. GLDM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
VWENX Vanguard Wellington Fund Admiral Shares	4.58%	16.63%	14.82%	14.40%	-14.31%	19.09%	10.66%	22.61%	-2.18%
GLDM SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust	0.30%	64.20%	27.08%	13.04%	-0.47%	-4.01%	25.10%	18.10%	1.84%

Correlation

The correlation between VWENX and GLDM is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.26
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.22
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.19
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 27, 2018	0.14

The correlation between VWENX and GLDM shifts across timeframes, from 0.14 (all time) to 0.26 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VWENX vs. GLDM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VWENX	GLDM
Technology	31.8%	-
Communication Services	12.3%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.9%	-
Financial Services	10.6%	-
Healthcare	9.8%	-
Industrials	8.5%	-
Consumer Defensive	4.4%	-
Energy	4.4%	-
Real Estate	2.6%	-
Utilities	2.5%	-
Basic Materials	2.1%	100.0%

Return for Risk

VWENX vs. GLDM — Risk / Return Rank

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

VWENX

VWENX Risk / Return Rank: 55
VWENX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
VWENX Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
VWENX Omega Ratio Rank: 54
VWENX Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
VWENX Martin Ratio Rank: 66

GLDM

GLDM Risk / Return Rank: 34
GLDM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
GLDM Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
GLDM Omega Ratio Rank: 39
GLDM Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
GLDM Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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.

VWENX vs. GLDM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Wellington Fund Admiral Shares (VWENX) 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.

	VWENX	GLDM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.10	1.15	+0.94
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.89	1.54	+1.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.23	+0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.69	1.53	+1.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.39	3.85	+8.54
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VWENX vs. GLDM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VWENX Sharpe Ratio is 2.10, which is higher than the GLDM Sharpe Ratio of 1.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VWENX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VWENX	GLDM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.10	1.15	+0.94
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75	1.00	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.67	0.99	-0.32

Drawdowns

VWENX vs. GLDM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VWENX drawdown since its inception was -36.02%, which is greater than GLDM's maximum drawdown of -21.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VWENX and GLDM.

Drawdown Indicators

	VWENX	GLDM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.02%	-21.63%	-14.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.77%	-20.00%	+13.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.98%	-20.00%	+8.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.84%	-20.92%	+0.08%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-25.33%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.41%	-19.80%	+17.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.35%	-6.24%	+1.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.46%	7.96%	-6.50%

Volatility

VWENX vs. GLDM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Wellington Fund Admiral Shares (VWENX) is 3.13%, while SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust (GLDM) has a volatility of 5.65%. This indicates that VWENX 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

	VWENX	GLDM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.13%	5.65%	-2.52%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.01%	23.31%	-16.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.68%	26.65%	-17.97%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.17%	17.98%	-6.81%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.55%	16.89%	-5.34%

VWENX vs. GLDM - Expense Ratio Comparison

VWENX has a 0.16% expense ratio, which is higher than GLDM's 0.10% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VWENX vs. GLDM - Dividend Comparison

VWENX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.10%, 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%
VWENX Vanguard Wellington Fund Admiral Shares	11.10%	11.55%	10.85%	6.08%	8.28%	8.72%	7.85%	4.74%	9.58%	5.88%	4.53%	6.58%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VWENX and GLDM in my portfolio?

VWENX and GLDM have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VWENX or GLDM?

GLDM has higher volatility (5.65%) compared to VWENX (3.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VWENX dropped -36.02% vs GLDM's -21.63%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VWENX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.10 vs 1.15), 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.