XTN vs. GLD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XTN (SPDR S&P Transportation ETF) and GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - XTN is a Transportation Equities fund tracking the S&P Transportation Select Industry Index, while GLD is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XTN returned 10.58%/yr vs 13.12%/yr for GLD. At a correlation of -0.02, they often move in opposite directions. XTN charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for GLD.

Performance

XTN vs. GLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P Transportation ETF (XTN) 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, XTN achieves a 21.64% return, which is significantly higher than GLD's 2.92% return. Over the past 10 years, XTN has underperformed GLD with an annualized return of 10.58%, while GLD has yielded a comparatively higher 13.12% annualized return.

XTN

• 1D: -0.75%
• 1M: 12.22%
• YTD: 21.64%
• 6M: 22.93%
• 1Y: 44.53%
• 3Y*: 14.95%
• 5Y*: 5.36%
• 10Y*: 10.58%

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)

XTN vs. GLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XTN SPDR S&P Transportation ETF	21.64%	6.33%	4.86%	25.22%	-28.10%	33.68%	12.11%	21.85%	-17.26%	21.55%
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 XTN and GLD is 0.14, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.14
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.09
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.08
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.00
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 28, 2011	-0.02

The correlation between XTN and GLD shifts across timeframes, from -0.02 (all time) to 0.14 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

XTN vs. GLD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XTN	GLD
Industrials	95.4%	-
Technology	4.6%	-
Basic Materials	-	100.0%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

XTN vs. GLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

XTN

XTN Risk / Return Rank: 45
XTN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
XTN Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
XTN Omega Ratio Rank: 42
XTN Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
XTN Martin Ratio Rank: 43

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.

XTN vs. GLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	XTN	GLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.60	1.21	+0.39
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.22	1.60	+0.62
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.24	+0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.59	1.68	+0.91
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.14	4.15	+2.99
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XTN vs. GLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XTN Sharpe Ratio is 1.60, which is higher than the GLD Sharpe Ratio of 1.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XTN 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

	XTN	GLD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.60	1.21	+0.39
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.20	1.01	-0.81
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.41	0.83	-0.42
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.60	-0.16

Drawdowns

XTN vs. GLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XTN drawdown since its inception was -43.77%, roughly equal to the maximum GLD drawdown of -45.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XTN and GLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	XTN	GLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.77%	-45.56%	+1.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.28%	-19.21%	+1.93%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-33.69%	-19.21%	-14.48%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.05%	-21.03%	-14.02%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.77%	-22.00%	-21.77%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.70%	-17.75%	+12.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.94%	-16.16%	+5.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.25%	7.73%	-1.48%

Volatility

XTN vs. GLD - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P Transportation ETF (XTN) has a higher volatility of 7.36% compared to SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) at 5.51%. This indicates that XTN'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

	XTN	GLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.36%	5.51%	+1.85%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.05%	23.16%	-1.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.03%	26.61%	+1.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.83%	18.00%	+8.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.19%	15.95%	+10.24%

XTN vs. GLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

XTN vs. GLD - Dividend Comparison

XTN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.66%, 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%
XTN SPDR S&P Transportation ETF	0.66%	0.78%	0.93%	0.73%	1.04%	1.02%	0.75%	1.17%	0.98%	0.63%	0.66%	1.03%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XTN and GLD in my portfolio?

XTN and GLD have a correlation of 0.14, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XTN or GLD?

XTN has higher volatility (7.36%) compared to GLD (5.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XTN dropped -43.77% vs GLD's -45.56%.

Which ETF is better, XTN or GLD?

On 10-year performance, GLD leads with 13.12% vs 10.58% for XTN. On fees, XTN is cheaper at 0.35% 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, XTN or GLD?

Over the 10-year period, GLD has performed better with a 13.12% return vs 10.58%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XTN or GLD?

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

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

XTN has the higher dividend yield at 0.66%, compared with 0.00% for GLD.

What is the main difference between XTN and GLD?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XTN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.60 vs 1.21), 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.