XTL vs. GLD

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

XTL (SPDR S&P Telecom ETF) and GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - XTL is a Communications Equities fund tracking the S&P Telecom Select Industry Index, while GLD is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XTL returned 16.95%/yr vs 13.23%/yr for GLD. At a 0.04 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. XTL charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for GLD.

Performance

XTL vs. GLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P Telecom ETF (XTL) 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, XTL achieves a 62.17% return, which is significantly higher than GLD's 3.95% return. Over the past 10 years, XTL has outperformed GLD with an annualized return of 16.95%, while GLD has yielded a comparatively lower 13.23% annualized return.

XTL

• 1D: 3.28%
• 1M: 8.43%
• YTD: 62.17%
• 6M: 70.46%
• 1Y: 143.57%
• 3Y*: 50.79%
• 5Y*: 20.95%
• 10Y*: 16.95%

GLD

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: -2.65%
• YTD: 3.95%
• 6M: 6.38%
• 1Y: 32.18%
• 3Y*: 31.53%
• 5Y*: 18.64%
• 10Y*: 13.23%

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

XTL vs. GLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XTL SPDR S&P Telecom ETF	62.17%	44.95%	34.89%	-1.17%	-19.18%	21.58%	22.46%	12.51%	-6.60%	0.56%
GLD SPDR Gold Shares	3.95%	63.68%	26.66%	12.69%	-0.77%	-4.15%	24.81%	17.86%	-1.94%	12.81%

Correlation

The correlation between XTL and GLD is 0.15, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.15
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.15
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.13
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.07
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 28, 2011	0.04

The correlation between XTL and GLD shifts across timeframes, from 0.04 (all time) to 0.15 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

XTL vs. GLD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XTL	GLD
Technology	61.4%	-
Communication Services	36.1%	-
Real Estate	2.6%	-
Basic Materials	-	100.0%
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

XTL vs. GLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

XTL

XTL Risk / Return Rank: 96
XTL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
XTL Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
XTL Omega Ratio Rank: 94
XTL Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
XTL Martin Ratio Rank: 97

GLD

GLD Risk / Return Rank: 34
GLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
GLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
GLD Omega Ratio Rank: 37
GLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
GLD Martin Ratio Rank: 31

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.

XTL vs. GLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Telecom ETF (XTL) 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.

	XTL	GLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	5.02	1.22	+3.80
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	5.29	1.61	+3.69
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.70	1.24	+0.45
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	9.91	1.86	+8.05
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	45.66	4.66	+40.99
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XTL vs. GLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XTL Sharpe Ratio is 5.02, which is higher than the GLD Sharpe Ratio of 1.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XTL 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

	XTL	GLD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.02	1.22	+3.80
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84	1.04	-0.20
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.72	0.83	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.54	0.60	-0.06

Drawdowns

XTL vs. GLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XTL drawdown since its inception was -37.01%, smaller than the maximum GLD drawdown of -45.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XTL and GLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	XTL	GLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.01%	-45.56%	+8.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.70%	-19.21%	+4.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.79%	-19.21%	-3.58%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.01%	-21.03%	-15.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.01%	-22.00%	-15.01%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-16.93%	+16.93%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.77%	-16.16%	+6.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.19%	7.65%	-4.46%

Volatility

XTL vs. GLD - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P Telecom ETF (XTL) has a higher volatility of 8.05% compared to SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) at 5.78%. This indicates that XTL'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

	XTL	GLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.05%	5.78%	+2.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.61%	23.14%	-0.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.78%	26.71%	+2.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.04%	18.02%	+7.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.51%	15.95%	+7.56%

XTL vs. GLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

XTL vs. GLD - Dividend Comparison

XTL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.80%, 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%
XTL SPDR S&P Telecom ETF	0.80%	1.05%	0.62%	0.80%	0.74%	1.25%	0.88%	0.92%	1.90%	2.08%	1.11%	1.38%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XTL and GLD in my portfolio?

XTL and GLD have a correlation of 0.15, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XTL or GLD?

XTL has higher volatility (8.05%) compared to GLD (5.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XTL dropped -37.01% vs GLD's -45.56%.

Which ETF is better, XTL or GLD?

On 10-year performance, XTL leads with 16.95% vs 13.23% for GLD. On fees, XTL is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, GLD has been the lower-risk option at 5.78%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XTL or GLD?

Over the 10-year period, XTL has performed better with a 16.95% return vs 13.23%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XTL or GLD?

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

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

XTL has the higher dividend yield at 0.80%, compared with 0.00% for GLD.

What is the main difference between XTL and GLD?

XTL is categorized as Communications Equities, while GLD is Gold. XTL tracks S&P Telecom Select Industry Index, while GLD tracks LBMA Gold Price PM. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XTL and 0.40% for GLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XTL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.02 vs 1.22), 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.