XAUUSD=X vs. IGLN.L
XAUUSD=X (Gold Spot Price US Dollar) is a currency, while IGLN.L (iShares Physical Gold ETC) is Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Over the past 10 years, XAUUSD=X returned 13.68%/yr vs 13.57%/yr for IGLN.L. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.
Performance
XAUUSD=X vs. IGLN.L - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, XAUUSD=X achieves a 3.72% return, which is significantly lower than IGLN.L's 4.52% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with XAUUSD=X having a 13.68% annualized return and IGLN.L not far behind at 13.57%.
XAUUSD=X
- 1D
- -0.03%
- 1M
- -2.75%
- YTD
- 3.72%
- 6M
- 6.60%
- 1Y
- 32.58%
- 3Y*
- 32.03%
- 5Y*
- 19.11%
- 10Y*
- 13.68%
IGLN.L
- 1D
- 0.66%
- 1M
- -2.82%
- YTD
- 4.52%
- 6M
- 7.65%
- 1Y
- 33.45%
- 3Y*
- 31.75%
- 5Y*
- 19.10%
- 10Y*
- 13.57%
XAUUSD=X vs. IGLN.L - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
XAUUSD=X Gold Spot Price US Dollar | 3.72% | 64.75% | 27.24% | 13.14% | -0.25% | -3.50% | 24.55% | 18.77% | -1.71% | 13.14% |
IGLN.L iShares Physical Gold ETC | 4.52% | 64.92% | 26.14% | 13.44% | -0.09% | -4.03% | 24.16% | 18.28% | -1.31% | 11.67% |
Correlation
The correlation between XAUUSD=X and IGLN.L is 0.68, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.68 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.74 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.77 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.76 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 13, 2011 | 0.75 |
The correlation between XAUUSD=X and IGLN.L has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.68 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
XAUUSD=X vs. IGLN.L — Risk / Return Rank
XAUUSD=X
IGLN.L
XAUUSD=X vs. IGLN.L - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Gold Spot Price US Dollar (XAUUSD=X) and iShares Physical Gold ETC (IGLN.L). 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.
| XAUUSD=X | IGLN.L | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.13 | 1.35 | -0.22 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.52 | 1.78 | -0.26 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.23 | 1.26 | -0.03 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.73 | 1.98 | -0.25 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.00 | 5.22 | -1.22 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading charts...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| XAUUSD=X | IGLN.L | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.13 | 1.35 | -0.22 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 1.03 | 1.10 | -0.07 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.85 | 0.87 | -0.02 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.59 | 0.46 | +0.13 |
Drawdowns
XAUUSD=X vs. IGLN.L - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum XAUUSD=X drawdown since its inception was -44.69%, roughly equal to the maximum IGLN.L drawdown of -45.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XAUUSD=X and IGLN.L.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| XAUUSD=X | IGLN.L | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -44.69% | -45.24% | +0.55% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -19.70% | -17.36% | -2.34% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.70% | -17.36% | -2.34% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -20.81% | -21.15% | +0.34% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -21.35% | -21.15% | -0.20% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -17.26% | -14.99% | -2.27% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -16.41% | -19.80% | +3.39% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 8.53% | 6.59% | +1.94% |
Volatility
XAUUSD=X vs. IGLN.L - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Gold Spot Price US Dollar (XAUUSD=X) is 4.67%, while iShares Physical Gold ETC (IGLN.L) has a volatility of 6.28%. This indicates that XAUUSD=X experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IGLN.L based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| XAUUSD=X | IGLN.L | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.67% | 6.28% | -1.61% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 21.41% | 21.71% | -0.30% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 22.76% | 24.85% | -2.09% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.54% | 17.37% | -0.83% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 15.07% | 15.54% | -0.47% |
Frequently Asked Questions
XAUUSD=X and IGLN.L have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
Find the right allocation for XAUUSD=X and IGLN.L
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer