GLD vs IWM — 20-Year Performance Comparison
Gold vs US Small-Cap — backtested 2005–2024
GLD wins$55,289 vs $44,676 on $10,000 over 20 years
GLDGold
Final value$55,289
CAGR+8.9%
Max drawdown-37.4%
Best year+31% (2007)
Years won10 of 20
IWMUS Small-Cap
Final value$44,676
CAGR+7.8%
Max drawdown-35.3%
Best year+39% (2013)
Years won10 of 20
Growth of $10,000
2005–2024GLDIWM
GLD$55,289
IWM$44,676
50/50 mix$55,661
50/50 blend: $55,661 (+9.0%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between GLD and IWM would have outperformed both individually — diversification smoothed the ride. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: GLD vs IWM
| Year | GLD | IWM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +26.7% | +11.4% | GLD |
| 2023 | +12.7% | +16.8% | IWM |
| 2022 | -0.8% | -20.5% | GLD |
| 2021 | -4.2% | +14.5% | IWM |
| 2020 | +24.8% | +20.0% | GLD |
| 2019 | +17.9% | +25.4% | IWM |
| 2018 | -1.9% | -11.1% | GLD |
| 2017 | +12.8% | +14.6% | IWM |
| 2016 | +8.0% | +21.6% | IWM |
| 2015 | -10.7% | -4.5% | IWM |
| 2014 | -2.2% | +5.0% | IWM |
| 2013 | -28.3% | +38.7% | IWM |
| 2012 | +6.6% | +16.7% | IWM |
| 2011 | +9.6% | -4.4% | GLD |
| 2010 | +29.3% | +26.9% | GLD |
| 2009 | +24.0% | +28.5% | IWM |
| 2008 | +5.0% | -34.2% | GLD |
| 2007 | +30.6% | -1.8% | GLD |
| 2006 | +22.2% | +18.3% | GLD |
| 2005 | +18.0% | +4.5% | GLD |
More comparisons
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