LQD vs GLD — 20-Year Performance Comparison
Investment-Grade Corp Bonds vs Gold — backtested 2005–2024
GLD wins$55,289 vs $21,378 on $10,000 over 20 years
LQDInvestment-Grade Corp Bonds
Final value$21,378
CAGR+3.9%
Max drawdown-19.4%
Best year+17% (2019)
Years won6 of 20
GLDGold
Final value$55,289
CAGR+8.9%
Max drawdown-37.4%
Best year+31% (2007)
Years won14 of 20
Growth of $10,000
2005–2024LQDGLD
LQD$21,378
GLD$55,289
50/50 mix$36,025
50/50 blend: $36,025 (+6.6%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between LQD and GLD would have landed between the two — slightly lower CAGR than GLD but less volatility. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: LQD vs GLD
| Year | LQD | GLD | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +0.9% | +26.7% | GLD |
| 2023 | +9.4% | +12.7% | GLD |
| 2022 | -17.9% | -0.8% | GLD |
| 2021 | -1.8% | -4.2% | LQD |
| 2020 | +11.0% | +24.8% | GLD |
| 2019 | +17.4% | +17.9% | GLD |
| 2018 | -3.8% | -1.9% | GLD |
| 2017 | +7.1% | +12.8% | GLD |
| 2016 | +6.2% | +8.0% | GLD |
| 2015 | -1.3% | -10.7% | LQD |
| 2014 | +8.2% | -2.2% | LQD |
| 2013 | -2.0% | -28.3% | LQD |
| 2012 | +10.6% | +6.6% | LQD |
| 2011 | +9.7% | +9.6% | LQD |
| 2010 | +9.3% | +29.3% | GLD |
| 2009 | +8.4% | +24.0% | GLD |
| 2008 | +2.4% | +5.0% | GLD |
| 2007 | +3.7% | +30.6% | GLD |
| 2006 | +4.2% | +22.2% | GLD |
| 2005 | +1.2% | +18.0% | GLD |
More comparisons
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