GLD vs SPY
SPDR Gold Shares vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, GLD or SPY?
Gold against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. GLD led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, SPY over 1Y.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | GLD | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.40% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $146.4B | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 1 | 505 |
| YTD Return | -1.64% | +10.96%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.36% | +15.52%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +29.79%Best | +20.73% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +19.02%Best | +12.53% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.3% | 14.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -45.6%Best | -56.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $23,884Best | $18,044 |
| Fund Family | SPDR State Street Global Advisors | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Gold | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 18, 2004 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 18, 2004 to Sep 16, 2026 (21.8 years).
GLD vs SPY growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 21.8 years both funds cover.
GLD vs SPY Performance
SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year GLD returned +15.36% while SPY returned +15.52%. Year to date, GLD is down 1.64% versus a gain of 10.96% for SPY.
Over three years, GLD compounded at +29.79% per year against +20.73% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +19.02% and +12.53% respectively. Across the full 22-year window we track, GLD has the edge at +10.49% annualized vs +9.21%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GLD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.3% compared with 14.8% for SPY. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -45.6% for GLD and -56.5% for SPY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.09. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GLD charges 0.40% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $40 vs $9 annually, a gap of $31 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GLD currently yields 0.00% against 0.98% for SPY.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GLD and SPY you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, GLD or SPY?
GLD has an expense ratio of 0.40% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $31 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GLD or SPY?
Over the past year GLD returned +15.36% vs +15.52% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (22 years), GLD annualized +10.49% vs +9.21% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GLD or SPY?
GLD has been the more volatile fund at 17.3% annualized versus 14.8% for SPY. Worst drawdown: GLD -45.6% vs SPY -56.5%.
Should I hold both GLD and SPY?
GLD and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.09, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, GLD or SPY?
GLD yields 0.00% while SPY yields 0.98%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than GLD?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. GLD led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, SPY over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.