Gold returns by year
As of market close, Oct 2, 2026
Gold returns by year (2005–2026)#
Calendar-year returns with each year's price path. Every year has a direct link you can bookmark or share.
| Year | Start price | End price | Path | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026YTD | $396.31 | $380.14 | -4.1% | |
| 2025 | $242.13 | $396.31 | +63.7% | |
| 2024 | $191.17 | $242.13 | +26.7% | |
| 2023 | $169.64 | $191.17 | +12.7% | |
| 2022 | $170.96 | $169.64 | -0.8% | |
| 2021 | $178.36 | $170.96 | -4.1% | |
| 2020 | $142.90 | $178.36 | +24.8% | |
| 2019 | $121.25 | $142.90 | +17.9% | |
| 2018 | $123.65 | $121.25 | -1.9% | |
| 2017 | $109.61 | $123.65 | +12.8% | |
| 2016 | $101.46 | $109.61 | +8.0% | |
| 2015 | $113.58 | $101.46 | -10.7% | |
| 2014 | $116.12 | $113.58 | -2.2% | |
| 2013 | $162.02 | $116.12 | -28.3% | |
| 2012 | $151.99 | $162.02 | +6.6% | |
| 2011 | $138.72 | $151.99 | +9.6% | |
| 2010 | $107.31 | $138.72 | +29.3% | |
| 2009 | $86.52 | $107.31 | +24.0% | |
| 2008 | $82.46 | $86.52 | +4.9% | |
| 2007 | $63.21 | $82.46 | +30.5% | |
| 2006 | $51.58 | $63.21 | +22.5% | |
| 2005 | $43.80 | $51.58 | +17.8% |
- Annualized
- +10.3%
- 2005–2026
- Average year
- +12.6%
- 21 full years
- Best year
- +63.7%
- 2025
- Worst year
- -28.3%
- 2013
- Positive years
- 15/21
- 71% up
Annualized (CAGR)
+10.3%
2005–2026
Average year
+12.6%
21 full years
Best year
+63.7%
2025
Worst year
-28.3%
2013
Positive years
15/21
71% up
Return by period#
Annual
-60%-40%-20%0%20%40%60%
2005+18%'05
2006+23%
2007+30%'07
2008+4.9%
2009+24%'09
2010+29%
2011+9.6%'11
2012+6.6%
2013-28%'13
2014-2.2%
2015-11%'15
2016+8.0%
2017+13%'17
2018-1.9%
2019+18%'19
2020+25%
2021-4.1%'21
2022-0.77%
2023+13%'23
2024+27%
2025+64%'25
2026-4.1%
Methodology#
Gold pays no dividends, so returns are price changes in GLD's daily closes. Annualized return is the compound annual growth rate; the current year is year-to-date. Past performance does not predict future returns.
FAQ#
- What is Gold's average annual return?
- Since 2005, Gold (proxied by GLD) has returned about 10.3% a year (the compound annual growth rate) and an average calendar-year return of 12.6%.
- What were Gold's best and worst years?
- Over 2005–2026, the best year was 2025 (+63.7%) and the worst was 2013 (-28.3%).
- How often is Gold up in a year?
- 15 of the 21 full years since 2005 were positive — about 71% of the time.
More on Gold
Annual returns for: S&P 500 · S&P 500 Equal Weight · US Stock Market · Nasdaq-100Tracked by GLD, IAU