SGOL vs SPY
abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, SGOL or SPY?
Gold against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SGOL led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, SPY over 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 | SGOL | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.17% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $7.7B | $814.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.01% |
| Holdings | 1 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +3.17% | +13.78%Best |
| 1Y Return | +25.30%Best | +21.44% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +32.27%Best | +21.38% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +19.40%Best | +12.80% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.7% | 14.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -45.5% | -34.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $24,267Best | $18,262 |
| Fund Family | Aberdeen | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Gold | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 9, 2009 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 9, 2009 to Sep 3, 2026 (17 years).
SGOL 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 17 years both funds cover.
SGOL vs SPY Performance
abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF (SGOL) is an ETF from Aberdeen and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year SGOL returned +25.30% while SPY returned +21.44%. Year to date, SGOL is up 3.17% versus a gain of 13.78% for SPY.
Over three years, SGOL compounded at +32.27% per year against +21.38% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +19.40% and +12.80% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +13.05% annualized vs +8.97%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SGOL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.7% compared with 14.4% 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 -45.5% for SGOL 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 0.11. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SGOL charges 0.17% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $17 vs $9 annually, a gap of $8 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SGOL currently yields 0.00% against 1.01% for SPY.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SGOL 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, SGOL or SPY?
SGOL has an expense ratio of 0.17% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $8 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SGOL or SPY?
Over the past year SGOL returned +25.30% vs +21.44% for SPY, so SGOL leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), SGOL annualized +8.97% vs +13.05% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SGOL or SPY?
SGOL has been the more volatile fund at 16.7% annualized versus 14.4% for SPY. Worst drawdown: SGOL -45.5% vs SPY -34.1%.
Should I hold both SGOL and SPY?
SGOL and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.11, 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, SGOL or SPY?
SGOL yields 0.00% while SPY yields 1.01%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than SGOL?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SGOL led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, SPY over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.