Market proxy GLD$399.701D -1.74%as of market close, Sep 8, 2026
Gold returns by year
Gold has returned +10.5% annually (CAGR) since 2005. Calendar-year, monthly and weekly returns for Gold (proxied by GLD) below, through September 8, 2026 — the most recent year is Through September 8, 2026; the running year is year-to-date.
- Annualized
- +10.5%
- 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)
+10.5%
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
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 | $399.7 | +0.9% | |
| 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 | $142.9 | $178.36 | +24.8% | |
| 2019 | $121.25 | $142.9 | +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 | $43.8 | $51.58 | +17.8% |
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+0.86%
Methodology#
Gold pays no dividends, so returns are simple price changes computed from GLD's daily closes (in USD). The bar chart switches between annual and monthly periods. Annualized return is the compound annual growth rate over the full period. The current year is year-to-date. Past performance does not predict future returns; not investment advice.
FAQ#
- What is Gold's average annual return?
- Since 2005, Gold (proxied by GLD) has returned about 10.5% 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
By year for: S&P 500 · S&P 500 Equal Weight · US Stock Market · Nasdaq-100Tracked by GLD, IAU