GLD vs XLI
SPDR Gold Shares vs State Street Industrial 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 Industrial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLI) is an exchange-traded fund issued by SPDR that provides exposure to us sector - industrials securities. It charges a low expense ratio of 0.08%. The fund offers a moderate dividend yield of 1.19%. Launched in 1998, the fund has a 28-year track record.
Quick Verdict
XLI 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 39.4%.
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
XLI Top Holdings
| Name | Weight |
|---|---|
| Caterpillar Inc.CAT | 6.82% |
| GE AerospaceGE | 6.11% |
| RTX CorporationRTX | 5.08% |
| GE Vernova Inc.GEV | 4.86% |
| The Boeing CompanyBA | 3.22% |
| Deere & CompanyDE | 2.90% |
| Eaton Corporation plcETN | 2.90% |
| Honeywell International Inc.HON | 2.79% |
| Union Pacific CorporationUNP | 2.78% |
| Uber Technologies, Inc.UBER | 2.75% |
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose XLI 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.