the gap between themGLD ahead by $17,999
GLD solid · TLT dashed · weekly closes, dividends reinvested
Even at 2 each. The difference is in the details below.
- Grew more over five yearsGLD +145% · TLT −35%
GLD
- Fell less at its worstGLD −24% · TLT −43%
- Calmer rideGLD 17% vol · TLT 15% vol
TLT
- Cheaper to holdGLD 0.40% a year · TLT 0.15% a year
independent · correlation 0.15
Side by side, line by line
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | $401.17 | $81.25 |
| Fund size | $152.86B | $47.05B |
| 1-year return | +18.3% (ahead) | −4.5% |
| 3-year return, a year | +31.0% (ahead) | −0.3% |
| 5-year return, a year | +19.6% (ahead) | −8.3% |
| Volatility, a year | 17% | 15% (ahead) |
| Worst drawdown | −24% (ahead) | −43% |
| Worst week | −10.3%Mar 2026 | −6.4% (ahead)Apr 2025 |
| Beta | 0.45 | 2.39 |
| Dividend yield | none | 4.73% |
| Expense ratio | 0.40% | 0.15% (ahead) |
Do GLD and TLT move together?
Correlation compares GLD’s and TLT’s weekly returns from Sep 2021 to Sep 2026. Two holdings near +1 fall on the same weeks, so owning both doesn’t cushion anything. Your portfolio has more than two lines, and Portfolio Terminal runs this check across every pair you hold.
How far each one fell
GLD
−24%
From its Feb 2026 high to Jul 2026. Still 17% below it today.
TLT
−43%
From its Nov 2021 high to Oct 2023. Still 37% below it today.
Worst peak-to-trough fall on weekly closes · dividends reinvested
GLD vs TLT: what people ask
Is GLD better than TLT?
Over the past five years, GLD delivered the higher return: +19.6% a year against −8.3% for TLT, dividends reinvested. Its worst fall was also shallower (−24% against −43%). Which is better depends on the job it does in your portfolio, and past returns don’t predict future ones.
What is the difference between GLD and TLT?
GLD is SPDR Gold Shares, a fund with $152.86B in assets. TLT is iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF, a fund with $47.05B in assets. GLD charges 0.40% a year and TLT 0.15%.
Should I own both GLD and TLT?
Their weekly returns had a correlation of 0.15 over the past five years. Their weekly moves barely relate, which makes them genuine diversifiers for each other. Whether that suits you depends on everything else you hold, which is the check Portfolio Terminal runs across a whole portfolio.
Which is riskier, GLD or TLT?
GLD swung more: 17% annual volatility against 15% for TLT. At their worst, GLD fell 24% and TLT 43% from a previous high. Against the broad market, their betas are 0.45 and 2.39.
Which pays a higher dividend, GLD or TLT?
TLT currently yields 4.73%, against no regular dividend for GLD. Yields move with price, so a higher yield can also mean a falling price.
Which is cheaper to hold, GLD or TLT?
TLT charges 0.15% a year and GLD 0.40%. On $10,000, that is $25.00 a year in favor of TLT.
Compare something else
Any two stocks or ETFs. Keep GLD or swap both.
Returns use weekly closes adjusted for dividends and splits, from Sep 2021 to Sep 2026. Quotes, fees and holdings come from public market data and refresh hourly. This page describes what happened; it is not investment advice, and past performance doesn’t predict future returns.