YGLD vs. GLDM

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

YGLD (Simplify Gold Strategy PLUS Income ETF) and GLDM (SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust) are both Gold funds. YGLD is actively managed, while GLDM is passively managed. Over the past year, YGLD returned 9.43% vs 20.58% for GLDM. Their correlation of 0.93 means they have usually moved in the same direction. YGLD charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for GLDM.

Performance

YGLD vs. GLDM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Simplify Gold Strategy PLUS Income ETF (YGLD) and SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust (GLDM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, YGLD achieves a -19.59% return, which is significantly lower than GLDM's -6.13% return.

YGLD

• 1D: 0.45%
• 1M: -3.71%
• 6M: -26.53%
• YTD: -19.59%
• 1Y: 9.43%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 28.36%

GLDM

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -1.72%
• 6M: -12.88%
• YTD: -6.13%
• 1Y: 20.58%
• 3Y*: 27.67%
• 5Y*: 17.32%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 15.35%

*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)
GLDM SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust	$270.09M	$250.20M	$318.17M
YGLD Simplify Gold Strategy PLUS Income ETF	$361.73K	$352.45K	$498.49K

YGLD vs. GLDM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
YGLD Simplify Gold Strategy PLUS Income ETF	-19.59%	96.82%	-4.26%
GLDM SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust	-6.13%	64.20%	-0.50%

Correlation

The correlation between YGLD and GLDM is 0.95 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 3, 2024	0.93

The correlation between YGLD and GLDM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

YGLD vs. GLDM — Risk / Return Rank

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

YGLD

YGLD Risk / Return Rank: 16
YGLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
YGLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
YGLD Omega Ratio Rank: 19
YGLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
YGLD Martin Ratio Rank: 14

GLDM

GLDM Risk / Return Rank: 28
GLDM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
GLDM Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
GLDM Omega Ratio Rank: 33
GLDM Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
GLDM Martin Ratio Rank: 23

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.

YGLD vs. GLDM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Simplify Gold Strategy PLUS Income ETF (YGLD) and SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust (GLDM). 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.

	YGLD	GLDM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.22	0.74	-0.52
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.57	1.09	-0.52
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.08	1.16	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.22	0.79	-0.57
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.43	1.69	-1.26

YGLD vs. GLDM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current YGLD Sharpe Ratio is 0.22, which is lower than the GLDM Sharpe Ratio of 0.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of YGLD and GLDM, 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

YGLD vs. GLDM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum YGLD drawdown since its inception was -43.35%, which is greater than GLDM's maximum drawdown of -26.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for YGLD and GLDM.

Drawdown Indicators

	YGLD	GLDM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.35%	-26.27%	-17.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-43.35%	-26.27%	-17.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-26.27%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-26.27%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-41.97%	-24.94%	-17.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.07%	-6.57%	-4.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	21.97%	12.22%	+9.75%

Volatility

YGLD vs. GLDM - Volatility Comparison

Simplify Gold Strategy PLUS Income ETF (YGLD) has a higher volatility of 8.41% compared to SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust (GLDM) at 6.00%. This indicates that YGLD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GLDM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	YGLD	GLDM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.41%	6.00%	+2.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	30.62%	20.89%	+9.73%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	42.39%	27.91%	+14.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	38.99%	18.40%	+20.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	38.99%	17.09%	+21.90%

YGLD vs. GLDM - Expense Ratio Comparison

YGLD has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than GLDM's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

YGLD vs. GLDM - Dividend Comparison

YGLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 22.77%, while GLDM has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025
GLDM SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust	0.00%	0.00%
YGLD Simplify Gold Strategy PLUS Income ETF	22.77%	12.05%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both YGLD and GLDM in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, YGLD and GLDM move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, YGLD or GLDM?

YGLD has higher volatility (8.41%) compared to GLDM (6.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, YGLD dropped -43.35% vs GLDM's -26.27%.

Which ETF is better, YGLD or GLDM?

On 1-year performance, GLDM leads with 20.58% vs 9.43% for YGLD. On fees, GLDM is cheaper at 0.10% per year. On volatility, GLDM has been the lower-risk option at 6.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, YGLD or GLDM?

Over the 1-year period, GLDM has performed better with a 20.58% return vs 9.43%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, YGLD or GLDM?

GLDM is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for YGLD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, YGLD or GLDM?

YGLD has the higher dividend yield at 22.77%, compared with 0.00% for GLDM.

What is the main difference between YGLD and GLDM?

They also come from different issuers: Simplify and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for YGLD and 0.10% for GLDM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GLDM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.74 vs 0.22), 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.