GLD vs XLF
SPDR Gold Shares vs State Street Financial 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 Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) is an exchange-traded fund issued by SPDR that provides exposure to us sector - financials securities. It charges a low expense ratio of 0.08%. The fund offers a moderate dividend yield of 1.56%. Launched in 1998, the fund has a 28-year track record.
Quick Verdict
XLF 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 10.4%.
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
XLF Top Holdings
| Name | Weight |
|---|---|
| Berkshire Hathaway Inc.BRK.B | 12.15% |
| JPMorgan Chase & Co.JPM | 11.42% |
| Visa Inc.V | 7.08% |
| Mastercard IncorporatedMA | 5.60% |
| Bank of America CorporationBAC | 4.77% |
| The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.GS | 3.70% |
| Wells Fargo & CompanyWFC | 3.63% |
| Citigroup Inc.C | 2.98% |
| Morgan StanleyMS | 2.93% |
| American Express CompanyAXP | 2.32% |
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose XLF 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.