GLDN vs SPY
Nicholas Gold Income ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Quick Verdict
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY offers more diversification with 505 holdings.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | GLDN | SPY | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.07% | 0.09% | |
| AUM | $3M | $821.1B | |
| Dividend Yield | 7.34% | 1.01% | |
| Holdings | 15 | 505 | |
| YTD Return | -7.84% | +12.22% | |
| 1Y Return | - | +20.83% | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +21.70% | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.98% | |
| Volatility (annualized) | - | 15.3% | |
| Max Drawdown | -36.2% | -56.5% | |
| Fund Family | XFunds | State Street Investment Management | |
| Category | Alternative | Equity | |
| Inception | Feb 18, 2026 | Jan 22, 1993 |
GLDN vs SPY Performance
Nicholas Gold Income ETF (GLDN) is a ETF from XFunds and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management. Year to date, GLDN is down 7.84% versus a gain of 12.22% for SPY.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -36.2% for GLDN and -56.5% for SPY. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GLDN charges 1.07% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $107 vs $9 annually, a gap of $98 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GLDN currently yields 7.34% against 1.01% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
GLDN and SPY share 1 holdings out of 518 unique holdings combined, representing a 0.2% weight overlap.
Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GLDN | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEM | 4.35% | 0.16% | 4.19% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, GLDN or SPY?
GLDN has an expense ratio of 1.07% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $98 per year of difference.
What is the holdings overlap between GLDN and SPY?
GLDN and SPY share 1 common holdings with a 0.2% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 518 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, GLDN or SPY?
GLDN yields 7.34% while SPY yields 1.01%, so GLDN currently pays the higher dividend yield.
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