^XAU vs. GLD
Compare and contrast key facts about Philadelphia Gold and Silver Index (^XAU) and SPDR Gold Trust (GLD).
GLD is a passively managed fund by State Street that tracks the performance of the Gold Bullion. It was launched on Nov 18, 2004.
Scroll down to visually compare performance, riskiness, drawdowns, and other indicators and decide which better suits your portfolio: ^XAU or GLD.
Key characteristics
| ^XAU | GLD | |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | 27.61% | 24.85% |
| 1Y Return | 37.82% | 34.72% |
| 3Y Return (Ann) | 7.14% | 12.27% |
| 5Y Return (Ann) | 12.41% | 11.25% |
| 10Y Return (Ann) | 5.69% | 7.24% |
| Sharpe Ratio | 1.26 | 2.41 |
| Daily Std Dev | 31.65% | 14.43% |
| Max Drawdown | -83.04% | -45.56% |
| Current Drawdown | -29.95% | 0.00% |
Correlation
The correlation between ^XAU and GLD is 0.73, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Performance
^XAU vs. GLD - Performance Comparison
In the year-to-date period, ^XAU achieves a 27.61% return, which is significantly higher than GLD's 24.85% return. Over the past 10 years, ^XAU has underperformed GLD with an annualized return of 5.69%, while GLD has yielded a comparatively higher 7.24% annualized return. The chart below displays the growth of a $10,000 investment in both assets, with all prices adjusted for splits and dividends.
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Risk-Adjusted Performance
^XAU vs. GLD - Risk-Adjusted Performance Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Philadelphia Gold and Silver Index (^XAU) and SPDR Gold Trust (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.
Drawdowns
^XAU vs. GLD - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ^XAU drawdown since its inception was -83.04%, which is greater than GLD's maximum drawdown of -45.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ^XAU and GLD. For additional features, visit the drawdowns tool.
Volatility
^XAU vs. GLD - Volatility Comparison
Philadelphia Gold and Silver Index (^XAU) has a higher volatility of 9.60% compared to SPDR Gold Trust (GLD) at 3.82%. This indicates that ^XAU'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.