GLDM vs SPY
SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, GLDM or SPY?
Gold against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. GLDM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | GLDM | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.10% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $31.5B | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 1 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +0.99% | +12.09%Best |
| 1Y Return | +19.93%Best | +16.29% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +31.25%Best | +21.20% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +19.83%Best | +13.37% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.9%Best | 16.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -26.3%Best | -34.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $24,707Best | $18,728 |
| Fund Family | SPDR State Street Global Advisors | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Gold | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 25, 2018 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 26, 2018 to Sep 18, 2026 (8.2 years).
GLDM 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 8.2 years both funds cover.
GLDM vs SPY Performance
SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust (GLDM) 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 GLDM returned +19.93% while SPY returned +16.29%. Year to date, GLDM is up 0.99% versus a gain of 12.09% for SPY.
Over three years, GLDM compounded at +31.25% per year against +21.20% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +19.83% and +13.37% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, GLDM has the edge at +16.19% annualized vs +14.37%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.6% compared with 15.9% for GLDM. 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 -26.3% for GLDM and -34.1% 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 0.14. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GLDM charges 0.10% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $10 vs $9 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GLDM currently yields 0.00% against 0.98% for SPY.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GLDM 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, GLDM or SPY?
GLDM has an expense ratio of 0.10% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GLDM or SPY?
Over the past year GLDM returned +19.93% vs +16.29% for SPY, so GLDM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), GLDM annualized +16.19% vs +14.37% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GLDM or SPY?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 16.6% annualized versus 15.9% for GLDM. Worst drawdown: GLDM -26.3% vs SPY -34.1%.
Should I hold both GLDM and SPY?
GLDM and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.14, 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, GLDM or SPY?
GLDM yields 0.00% while SPY yields 0.98%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than GLDM?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. GLDM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.