GLD vs XLV
SPDR Gold Shares vs State Street Health Care 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 Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) is an exchange-traded fund issued by SPDR that provides exposure to us sector - healthcare securities. It charges a low expense ratio of 0.08%. The fund offers a moderate dividend yield of 1.70%. Launched in 1998, the fund has a 28-year track record.
Quick Verdict
XLV 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 9.6%.
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
XLV Top Holdings
| Name | Weight |
|---|---|
| Eli Lilly and CompanyLLY | 14.06% |
| Johnson & JohnsonJNJ | 10.80% |
| AbbVie Inc.ABBV | 6.97% |
| Merck & Co., Inc.MRK | 5.66% |
| UnitedHealth Group IncorporatedUNH | 5.16% |
| Amgen Inc.AMGN | 3.56% |
| Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.TMO | 3.49% |
| Abbott LaboratoriesABT | 3.32% |
| Gilead Sciences, Inc.GILD | 3.27% |
| Intuitive Surgical, Inc.ISRG | 3.00% |
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose XLV 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.