ETF Versus

GLD vs SPTM

SPDR Gold Shares vs State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF

Last updated: 2026-04-02

GLD State Street

SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) is an exchange-traded fund issued by State Street that provides exposure to gold securities. It charges an above-average expense ratio of 0.40%. Launched in 2004, the fund has a 22-year track record.

AUM: N/A ER: 0.40% Yield: N/A Since: 2004-11-18
SPTM State Street

State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF (SPTM) is an exchange-traded fund issued by State Street that provides exposure to the total U.S. stock market across all capitalizations. It charges a very low expense ratio of 0.03%. The fund offers a moderate dividend yield of 1.19%. Launched in 2000, the fund has a 26-year track record.

AUM: N/A ER: 0.03% Yield: 1.19% Since: 2000-10-10

Quick Verdict

SPTM is significantly cheaper at 0.03% vs 0.40% expense ratio, saving you approximately $727 per $10,000 invested over 10 years. Over the past year, GLD has significantly outperformed with a 48.9% return vs 15.9%.

Key Metrics

Metric GLD SPTM
Expense Ratio 0.40% 0.03%
Dividend Yield N/A 1.2%
Fund Family State Street State Street
Category Gold US Total Market

Performance Chart

Indexed to 100 at start (5-year comparison)

85 127 169 211 253 295 2021-04 2022-06 2023-10 2024-12 2026-04
GLD +164.9%
SPTM +57.9%

Performance Comparison

Period GLD SPTM Difference
1 Month -8.37% -3.78% -4.59%
3 Months +7.70% -3.69% +11.39%
6 Months +17.72% -2.07% +19.79%
YTD +7.70% -3.69% +11.39%
1 Year +48.86% +15.87% +32.99%
3 Years +132.44% +57.36% +75.08%
5 Years +164.91% +57.92% +106.99%

Fee Impact Over Time

Estimated fee cost difference assuming 8% annual returns

Investment Period GLD Fees SPTM Fees You Save
$10,000 10 years $786 $60 $727
$10,000 20 years $3,334 $258 $3,075
$10,000 30 years $10,601 $835 $9,765
$50,000 10 years $3,932 $299 $3,633
$50,000 30 years $53,003 $4,176 $48,827
$100,000 30 years $106,005 $8,352 $97,653

Risk Metrics

Based on 5 years of daily returns

Metric GLD SPTM
Annualized Volatility 17.8% 16.8%
Max Drawdown -21.0% -25.0%
Sharpe Ratio 0.94 0.36

Dividend Comparison

Metric GLD SPTM
Annual Dividend (per share) $0.00 $0.95
Dividend Yield 0.00% 1.19%
Distribution Frequency None Quarterly

Which One Should You Choose?

Choose SPTM if...

you want the lowest fees and plan to buy and hold long-term. Over decades, the expense ratio difference compounds significantly.

Choose GLD if...

recent performance momentum matters to your strategy. Note that past performance doesn't guarantee future results.

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