XITK vs. GLD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XITK (SPDR FactSet Innovative Technology ETF) and GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - XITK is a Technology Equities fund tracking the FactSet Innovative Technology Index, while GLD is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XITK returned 14.35%/yr vs 13.12%/yr for GLD. At a 0.07 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. XITK charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for GLD.

Performance

XITK vs. GLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR FactSet Innovative Technology ETF (XITK) 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, XITK achieves a 13.97% return, which is significantly higher than GLD's 2.92% return. Over the past 10 years, XITK has outperformed GLD with an annualized return of 14.35%, while GLD has yielded a comparatively lower 13.12% annualized return.

XITK

• 1D: -3.51%
• 1M: 12.45%
• YTD: 13.97%
• 6M: 14.17%
• 1Y: 11.38%
• 3Y*: 17.58%
• 5Y*: -0.31%
• 10Y*: 14.35%

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)

XITK vs. GLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XITK SPDR FactSet Innovative Technology ETF	13.97%	2.53%	19.12%	45.87%	-47.45%	-11.24%	90.22%	36.98%	7.60%	36.01%
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 XITK and GLD is 0.06, 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	0.06
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.13
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.11
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.08
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 15, 2016	0.07

XITK vs. GLD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XITK	GLD
Technology	83.4%	-
Communication Services	8.6%	-
Consumer Cyclical	2.2%	-
Industrials	2.0%	-
Financial Services	1.7%	-
Healthcare	1.6%	-
Real Estate	0.5%	-
Basic Materials	-	100.0%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

XITK vs. GLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

XITK

XITK Risk / Return Rank: 15
XITK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
XITK Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
XITK Omega Ratio Rank: 15
XITK Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
XITK Martin Ratio Rank: 13

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.

XITK vs. GLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR FactSet Innovative Technology ETF (XITK) 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.

	XITK	GLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.43	1.21	-0.78
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.78	1.60	-0.82
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.09	1.24	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.41	1.68	-1.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.95	4.15	-3.20
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XITK vs. GLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XITK Sharpe Ratio is 0.43, which is lower than the GLD Sharpe Ratio of 1.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XITK 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

	XITK	GLD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.43	1.21	-0.78
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.01	1.01	-1.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49	0.83	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.51	0.60	-0.09

Drawdowns

XITK vs. GLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XITK drawdown since its inception was -65.56%, which is greater than GLD's maximum drawdown of -45.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XITK and GLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	XITK	GLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.56%	-45.56%	-20.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-28.03%	-19.21%	-8.82%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.18%	-19.21%	-8.97%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-61.53%	-21.03%	-40.50%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-65.56%	-22.00%	-43.56%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-22.29%	-17.75%	-4.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.08%	-16.16%	-5.92%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.96%	7.73%	+4.23%

Volatility

XITK vs. GLD - Volatility Comparison

SPDR FactSet Innovative Technology ETF (XITK) has a higher volatility of 8.59% compared to SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) at 5.51%. This indicates that XITK'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

	XITK	GLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.59%	5.51%	+3.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.87%	23.16%	-1.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.50%	26.61%	-0.11%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	32.63%	18.00%	+14.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.57%	15.95%	+13.62%

XITK vs. GLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

XITK has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than GLD's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

XITK vs. GLD - Dividend Comparison

Neither XITK nor GLD has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
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%
XITK SPDR FactSet Innovative Technology ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.08%	0.11%	0.00%	0.06%	0.14%	1.50%	1.74%	1.88%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XITK and GLD in my portfolio?

XITK and GLD have a correlation of 0.06, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XITK or GLD?

XITK has higher volatility (8.59%) compared to GLD (5.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XITK dropped -65.56% vs GLD's -45.56%.

Which ETF is better, XITK or GLD?

On 10-year performance, XITK leads with 14.35% vs 13.12% for GLD. On fees, GLD is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, GLD has been the lower-risk option at 5.51%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XITK or GLD?

Over the 10-year period, XITK has performed better with a 14.35% return vs 13.12%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XITK or GLD?

GLD is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for XITK.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XITK or GLD?

XITK and GLD have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between XITK and GLD?

XITK is categorized as Technology Equities, while GLD is Gold. XITK tracks FactSet Innovative Technology Index, while GLD tracks LBMA Gold Price PM. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for XITK and 0.40% for GLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.21 vs 0.43), 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.