PHYS vs GLD: which was the better investment?
Sprott Physical Gold Trust against SPDR Gold Shares on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Feb 26, 2010 to Jul 15, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did PHYS beat GLD?
No — measured from Feb 26, 2010 to Jul 15, 2026 with dividends reinvested, GLD came out ahead: $34,015 versus $31,903 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 7.8% annual return against 7.3%.
What would $10,000 in PHYS be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Sprott Physical Gold Trust (PHYS) on Feb 26, 2010 would be worth about $31,903 as of Jul 15, 2026, a total return of 219.0% (7.3% per year). The same $10,000 in GLD would be worth $34,015.
Which was riskier — PHYS or GLD?
PHYS swung with an annualized volatility of 18.1% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -48.2%; GLD ran at 16.6% volatility with a -45.6% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.30 for PHYS vs 0.35 for GLD.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Feb 26, 2010 through Jul 15, 2026 — the full period where both assets have price history. Adjusted prices include dividends and splits, so these are total returns. The page refreshes with new market data every day.
Can I change the dates, amounts, or add monthly investing?
Yes — the interactive tool on this page is pre-loaded with PHYS vs GLD. You can set any start and end date, change the starting amount, add monthly contributions, or build a multi-asset portfolio and compare it against any benchmark.