GLDI vs SCHD
ETRACS Gold Shares Covered Call ETN vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, GLDI or SCHD?
Gold against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. GLDI led over 3Y and 5Y, SCHD over 1Y 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 | GLDI | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $181M | $108.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 22.20% | 3.00% |
| Holdings | - | 206 |
| YTD Return | -2.45% | +23.29%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.82% | +29.70%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.62%Best | +16.26% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.34%Best | +9.65% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.0%Best | 16.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -19.6%Best | -33.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,110Best | $15,851 |
| Fund Family | UBS AG | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Gold | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 29, 2013 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 22, 2018 to Oct 13, 2026 (8.6 years).
GLDI vs SCHD 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 8.6 years both funds cover.
GLDI vs SCHD Performance
ETRACS Gold Shares Covered Call ETN (GLDI) is an ETF from UBS AG and Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year GLDI returned +3.82% while SCHD returned +29.70%. Year to date, GLDI is down 2.45% versus a gain of 23.29% for SCHD.
Over three years, GLDI compounded at +18.62% per year against +16.26% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +11.34% and +9.65% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +10.85% annualized vs +6.40%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SCHD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.2% compared with 11.0% for GLDI. 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 -19.6% for GLDI and -33.4% for SCHD. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.21. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GLDI charges 0.65% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $6 annually, a gap of $59 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GLDI currently yields 22.20% against 3.00% for SCHD.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GLDI and SCHD 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, GLDI or SCHD?
GLDI has an expense ratio of 0.65% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $59 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GLDI or SCHD?
Over the past year GLDI returned +3.82% vs +29.70% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), GLDI annualized +6.40% vs +10.85% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GLDI or SCHD?
SCHD has been the more volatile fund at 16.2% annualized versus 11.0% for GLDI. Worst drawdown: GLDI -19.6% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both GLDI and SCHD?
GLDI and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.21, 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, GLDI or SCHD?
GLDI yields 22.20% while SCHD yields 3.00%, so GLDI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than GLDI?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. GLDI led over 3Y and 5Y, SCHD over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.