Gold trailing returns
Gold's 10-year return is +12.3% a year (CAGR) (+220.0% cumulative). How Gold (proxied by GLD) has performed over the last day, week, month and year, over 5, 10 and 20 years, and since inception, through October 16, 2026, with the worst drop inside each window.
Trailing returns by period#
To 2026-10-16. Per year (CAGR) for windows of a year or more, with the cumulative return beneath. Worst drop: the deepest fall in the price from a high inside the window, and when it bottomed.
| Period | Return | Worst drop |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | -0.2% | — |
| 5 days | -0.7% | -2.2%Oct 14 |
| 1 month | -2.5% | -6.3%Oct 7 |
| YTD | -3.6% | -26.4%Jul 16 |
| 1 year | -3.6% | -26.4%Jul 2026 |
| 5 years | +18.2%+131.1% | -26.4%Jul 2026 |
| 10 years | +12.3%+220.0% | -26.4%Jul 2026 |
| 20 years | +9.8%+545.6% | -45.6%Dec 2015 |
| Since inception (2004) | +10.3%+760.8% | -45.6%Dec 2015 |
Growth of GLD#
Actual level with dividends reinvested (solid); dashed lines are each window's constant-rate path from start to today.
- 5 years+18.2%/year · +131.1%
- 10 years+12.3%/year · +220.0%
- 20 years+9.8%/year · +545.6%
Methodology#
Trailing returns measure from the closest close about N years before the latest close (2026-10-16). Cumulative return is the total change over the window; annualized return is the compound annual growth rate (CAGR), shown for windows of a year or more. Gold pays no dividends, so returns are simple price changes from GLD's daily closes (in USD). The worst drop is the largest fall in the closing price from a high to a later low inside the window, the way a drawdown is usually quoted. See the year-by-year returns for the calendar breakdown. Past performance does not predict future returns; not investment advice.
FAQ#
- What is Gold's 10-year return?
- Over the last 10 years, Gold (proxied by GLD) returned about +12.3% a year annualized (+220.0% cumulative total return).
- What is Gold's 20-year annualized return?
- Over the last 20 years, Gold (proxied by GLD) compounded at about +9.8% a year (+545.6% cumulative).
- What is Gold's return since inception?
- Since 2004, Gold (proxied by GLD) has compounded at about +10.3% a year — +760.8% in total.