XLB vs. GLD
Compare and contrast key facts about Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB) and SPDR Gold Trust (GLD).
XLB and GLD are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. XLB is a passively managed fund by State Street that tracks the performance of the Materials Select Sector Index. It was launched on Dec 16, 1998. GLD is a passively managed fund by State Street that tracks the performance of the Gold Bullion. It was launched on Nov 18, 2004. Both XLB and GLD are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.
Scroll down to visually compare performance, riskiness, drawdowns, and other indicators and decide which better suits your portfolio: XLB or GLD.
Key characteristics
| XLB | GLD | |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | 5.03% | 13.31% |
| 1Y Return | 14.74% | 17.25% |
| 3Y Return (Ann) | 4.59% | 9.20% |
| 5Y Return (Ann) | 11.72% | 12.29% |
| 10Y Return (Ann) | 8.79% | 5.67% |
| Sharpe Ratio | 1.11 | 1.41 |
| Daily Std Dev | 14.68% | 12.27% |
| Max Drawdown | -59.83% | -45.56% |
| Current Drawdown | -3.80% | -2.08% |
Correlation
The correlation between XLB and GLD is 0.19, which is considered to be low. This implies their price changes are not closely related. A low correlation is generally favorable for portfolio diversification, as it helps to reduce overall risk by spreading it across multiple assets with different performance patterns.
Performance
XLB vs. GLD - Performance Comparison
In the year-to-date period, XLB achieves a 5.03% return, which is significantly lower than GLD's 13.31% return. Over the past 10 years, XLB has outperformed GLD with an annualized return of 8.79%, while GLD has yielded a comparatively lower 5.67% annualized return. The chart below displays the growth of a $10,000 investment in both assets, with all prices adjusted for splits and dividends.
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XLB vs. GLD - Expense Ratio Comparison
XLB has a 0.13% expense ratio, which is lower than GLD's 0.40% expense ratio.
Risk-Adjusted Performance
XLB vs. GLD - Risk-Adjusted Performance Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB) and SPDR Gold Trust (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.
Dividends
XLB vs. GLD - Dividend Comparison
XLB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.91%, while GLD has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| TTM | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
XLB Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF | 1.91% | 2.00% | 2.26% | 1.62% | 1.72% | 1.98% | 2.20% | 1.66% | 1.95% | 2.24% | 1.97% | 2.08% |
GLD SPDR Gold 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% |
Drawdowns
XLB vs. GLD - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum XLB drawdown since its inception was -59.83%, which is greater than GLD's maximum drawdown of -45.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLB and GLD. For additional features, visit the drawdowns tool.
Volatility
XLB vs. GLD - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB) is 3.27%, while SPDR Gold Trust (GLD) has a volatility of 5.11%. This indicates that XLB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.