GLD vs XLC
SPDR Gold Shares vs State Street Communication Services Select Sector SPDR ETF
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 Communication Services Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLC) is an exchange-traded fund issued by SPDR that provides exposure to us sector - communication securities. It charges a low expense ratio of 0.08%. The fund offers a moderate dividend yield of 1.23%. Launched in 2018, the fund has a 8-year track record.
Quick Verdict
XLC is significantly cheaper at 0.08% vs 0.40% expense ratio, saving you approximately $627 per $10,000 invested over 10 years. Over the past year, GLD has significantly outperformed with a 49.8% return vs 25.9%.
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
XLC Top Holdings
| Name | Weight |
|---|---|
| Meta Platforms, Inc.META | 13.83% |
| Alphabet Inc.GOOG | 6.65% |
| Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.LYV | 4.71% |
| Netflix, Inc.NFLX | 4.57% |
| The Walt Disney CompanyDIS | 4.50% |
| Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.TTWO | 4.48% |
| EchoStar CorporationSATS | 4.47% |
| Omnicom Group Inc.OMC | 4.37% |
| Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.WBD | 4.35% |
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose XLC 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.