GLDI vs VXUS
ETRACS Gold Shares Covered Call ETN vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, GLDI or VXUS?
Gold against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. GLDI led over 5Y, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y 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 | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $181M | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 22.20% | 2.34% |
| Holdings | - | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | -3.32% | +10.00%Best |
| 1Y Return | +2.72% | +17.01%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.25% | +19.55%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.08%Best | +8.55% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.0%Best | 15.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -19.6%Best | -37.2% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,911Best | $15,071 |
| Fund Family | UBS AG | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Gold | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 29, 2013 | Jan 26, 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 14, 2026 (8.6 years).
GLDI vs VXUS 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 VXUS Performance
ETRACS Gold Shares Covered Call ETN (GLDI) is an ETF from UBS AG and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GLDI returned +2.72% while VXUS returned +17.01%. Year to date, GLDI is down 3.32% versus a gain of 10.00% for VXUS.
Over three years, GLDI compounded at +18.25% per year against +19.55% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +11.08% and +8.55% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +6.49% annualized vs +6.29%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.7% 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 -37.2% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.34. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GLDI charges 0.65% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $5 annually, a gap of $60 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GLDI currently yields 22.20% against 2.34% for VXUS.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GLDI and VXUS 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 VXUS?
GLDI has an expense ratio of 0.65% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $60 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GLDI or VXUS?
Over the past year GLDI returned +2.72% vs +17.01% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), GLDI annualized +6.29% vs +6.49% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GLDI or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.7% annualized versus 11.0% for GLDI. Worst drawdown: GLDI -19.6% vs VXUS -37.2%.
Should I hold both GLDI and VXUS?
GLDI and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.34, 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 VXUS?
GLDI yields 22.20% while VXUS yields 2.34%, so GLDI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than GLDI?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. GLDI led over 5Y, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.