XLCI vs. GLD

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

XLCI (State Street Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF) and GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - XLCI is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by State Street, while GLD is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM. XLCI is actively managed, while GLD is passively managed. Over the past year, XLCI returned 4.28% vs 20.20% for GLD. Their 0.20 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. XLCI charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for GLD.

Performance

XLCI vs. GLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLCI) 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, XLCI achieves a -2.58% return, which is significantly higher than GLD's -6.25% return.

XLCI

• 1D: 1.54%
• 1M: -0.56%
• 6M: -4.49%
• YTD: -2.58%
• 1Y: 4.28%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 3.98%

GLD

• 1D: -1.49%
• 1M: -1.74%
• 6M: -16.50%
• YTD: -6.25%
• 1Y: 20.20%
• 3Y*: 27.22%
• 5Y*: 16.95%
• 10Y*: 11.05%
• ALL TIME*: 10.28%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
GLD SPDR Gold Shares	$2.38B	$2.40B	$2.72B
XLCI State Street Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	$102.51K	$79.36K	$72.31K

XLCI vs. GLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
XLCI State Street Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	-2.58%	6.73%
GLD SPDR Gold Shares	-6.25%	29.41%

Correlation

The correlation between XLCI and GLD is 0.19, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.19
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 30, 2025	0.20

Return for Risk

XLCI vs. GLD — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

XLCI

XLCI Risk / Return Rank: 18
XLCI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
XLCI Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
XLCI Omega Ratio Rank: 16
XLCI Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
XLCI Martin Ratio Rank: 20

GLD

GLD Risk / Return Rank: 30
GLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
GLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
GLD Omega Ratio Rank: 35
GLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
GLD Martin Ratio Rank: 24

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

XLCI vs. GLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLCI) 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.

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.

	XLCI	GLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.29	0.81	-0.52
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.47	1.16	-0.69
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.06	1.17	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.42	0.86	-0.44
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.23	1.86	-0.63

XLCI vs. GLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLCI Sharpe Ratio is 0.29, which is lower than the GLD Sharpe Ratio of 0.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLCI 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.

Drawdowns

XLCI vs. GLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLCI drawdown since its inception was -8.44%, smaller than the maximum GLD drawdown of -45.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLCI and GLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLCI	GLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.44%	-45.56%	+37.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.44%	-26.40%	+17.96%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-26.40%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-26.40%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-26.40%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.54%	-25.08%	+19.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.06%	-16.21%	+14.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.86%	12.18%	-9.32%

Volatility

XLCI vs. GLD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for State Street Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLCI) is 5.62%, while SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) has a volatility of 6.40%. This indicates that XLCI 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.

Volatility by Period

	XLCI	GLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.62%	6.40%	-0.78%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.27%	23.52%	-13.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.32%	28.13%	-15.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.29%	18.49%	-6.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.29%	16.14%	-3.85%

XLCI vs. GLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLCI has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than GLD's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

XLCI vs. GLD - Dividend Comparison

XLCI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.73%, while GLD has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025
GLD SPDR Gold Shares	0.00%	0.00%
XLCI State Street Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	11.73%	5.23%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XLCI and GLD in my portfolio?

XLCI and GLD have a correlation of 0.19, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XLCI or GLD?

GLD has higher volatility (6.40%) compared to XLCI (5.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLCI dropped -8.44% vs GLD's -45.56%.

Which ETF is better, XLCI or GLD?

On 1-year performance, GLD leads with 20.20% vs 4.28% for XLCI. On fees, XLCI is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, XLCI has been the lower-risk option at 5.62%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XLCI or GLD?

Over the 1-year period, GLD has performed better with a 20.20% return vs 4.28%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XLCI or GLD?

XLCI is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for GLD.

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

XLCI has the higher dividend yield at 11.73%, compared with 0.00% for GLD.

What is the main difference between XLCI and GLD?

XLCI is categorized as Derivative Income, while GLD is Gold. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XLCI and 0.40% for GLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.81 vs 0.29), 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.