XRT vs. GLD
XRT (SPDR S&P Retail ETF) and GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - XRT is a Consumer Discretionary Equities fund tracking the S&P Retail Select Industry, while GLD is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XRT returned 9.25%/yr vs 11.59%/yr for GLD. At a correlation of -0.01, they often move in opposite directions. XRT charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for GLD.
Performance
XRT vs. GLD - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, XRT achieves a 1.06% return, which is significantly higher than GLD's -4.79% return. Over the past 10 years, XRT has underperformed GLD with an annualized return of 9.25%, while GLD has yielded a comparatively higher 11.59% annualized return.
XRT
- 1D
- 0.32%
- 1M
- 4.15%
- YTD
- 1.06%
- 6M
- -0.21%
- 1Y
- 12.05%
- 3Y*
- 12.88%
- 5Y*
- -0.91%
- 10Y*
- 9.25%
GLD
- 1D
- -1.89%
- 1M
- -8.82%
- YTD
- -4.79%
- 6M
- -8.78%
- 1Y
- 21.29%
- 3Y*
- 28.41%
- 5Y*
- 17.84%
- 10Y*
- 11.59%
XRT vs. GLD - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
XRT SPDR S&P Retail ETF | 1.06% | 8.07% | 11.78% | 21.53% | -31.64% | 42.60% | 41.91% | 14.12% | -8.04% | 4.22% |
GLD SPDR Gold Shares | -4.79% | 63.68% | 26.66% | 12.69% | -0.77% | -4.15% | 24.81% | 17.86% | -1.94% | 12.81% |
Correlation
The correlation between XRT and GLD is 0.16, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.16 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.13 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.08 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.01 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 22, 2006 | -0.01 |
The correlation between XRT and GLD shifts across timeframes, from -0.01 (all time) to 0.16 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
XRT vs. GLD — Risk / Return Rank
XRT
GLD
XRT vs. GLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT) 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.
| XRT | GLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.19 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.12 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.11 | 1.17 | -0.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.89 | 0.87 | +0.02 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.02 | 2.35 | -0.32 |
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Drawdowns
XRT vs. GLD - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum XRT drawdown since its inception was -65.81%, which is greater than GLD's maximum drawdown of -45.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XRT and GLD.
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Drawdown Indicators
| XRT | GLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -65.81% | -45.56% | -20.25% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.53% | -24.46% | +10.93% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -25.62% | -24.46% | -1.16% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -44.57% | -24.46% | -20.11% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -47.02% | -24.46% | -22.56% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -11.14% | -23.91% | +12.77% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -14.99% | -16.17% | +1.18% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.97% | 9.10% | -3.13% |
Volatility
XRT vs. GLD - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT) is 6.36%, while SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) has a volatility of 8.18%. This indicates that XRT 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.
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Volatility by Period
| XRT | GLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.36% | 8.18% | -1.82% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.34% | 24.38% | -10.04% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 20.60% | 27.57% | -6.97% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 26.93% | 18.24% | +8.69% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 27.19% | 16.04% | +11.15% |
XRT vs. GLD - Expense Ratio Comparison
XRT has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than GLD's 0.40% expense ratio.
Dividends
XRT vs. GLD - Dividend Comparison
XRT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.79%, while GLD has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% | 0.00% |
XRT SPDR S&P Retail ETF | 0.79% | 0.77% | 1.52% | 1.40% | 2.15% | 1.55% | 1.01% | 1.57% | 1.51% | 1.52% | 1.36% | 1.30% |
Frequently Asked Questions
XRT and GLD have a correlation of 0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GLD has higher volatility (8.18%) compared to XRT (6.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XRT dropped -65.81% vs GLD's -45.56%.
On 10-year performance, GLD leads with 11.59% vs 9.25% for XRT. On fees, XRT is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, XRT has been the lower-risk option at 6.36%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, GLD has performed better with a 11.59% return vs 9.25%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
XRT is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for GLD.
XRT has the higher dividend yield at 0.79%, compared with 0.00% for GLD.
XRT is categorized as Consumer Discretionary Equities, while GLD is Gold. XRT tracks S&P Retail Select Industry, while GLD tracks LBMA Gold Price PM. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XRT and 0.40% for GLD.
GLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.78 vs 0.59), 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.
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