GLD vs MDY
SPDR Gold Shares vs State Street SPDR S&P MIDCAP 400 ETF Trust
Last updated: 2026-04-10
SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) is an exchange-traded fund issued by SPDR 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.
State Street SPDR S&P MIDCAP 400 ETF Trust (MDY) is an exchange-traded fund issued by SPDR that provides exposure to mid-cap U.S. companies balancing growth potential and stability. It charges a moderate expense ratio of 0.24%. The fund offers a moderate dividend yield of 1.11%. Launched in 1995, the fund has a 31-year track record.
Quick Verdict
MDY is significantly cheaper at 0.24% vs 0.40% expense ratio, saving you approximately $311 per $10,000 invested over 10 years. Over the past year, GLD has significantly outperformed with a 49.8% return vs 31.1%.
Key Metrics
Performance Chart
Indexed to 100 at start (5-year comparison)
Performance Comparison
Fee Impact Over Time
Estimated fee cost difference assuming 8% annual returns
Risk Metrics
Based on 5 years of daily returns
Dividend Comparison
Top Holdings
MDY Top Holdings
| Name | Weight |
|---|---|
| TechnipFMC plcFTI | 0.86% |
| U.S. DollarCASH_USD | 0.85% |
| Casey's General Stores, Inc.CASY | 0.84% |
| Flex Ltd.FLEX | 0.80% |
| Curtiss-Wright CorporationCW | 0.80% |
| United Therapeutics CorporationUTHR | 0.75% |
| XPO, Inc.XPO | 0.74% |
| Woodward, Inc.WWD | 0.70% |
| FabrinetFN | 0.65% |
| Royal Gold, Inc.RGLD | 0.65% |
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose MDY 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.