Euro vs Gold since 2001
22% × 1,449%
Updated July 2026 · BLS / FRED · daily closing prices (not exportable)
Since 2001, Euro is up 22% against the dollar and Gold is 1,449% in dollars. Gold held up better. Held as cash, Euro earns no interest, so that line is the exchange rate, not a return.
Base 100 since 2001
Why compare Euro and Gold (XAU/USD)
The euro and gold both come to mind for anyone looking past their home currency for a refuge, yet only one of them is truly an asset. The euro is an exchange rate held as cash it earns no interest, so the line is only its move against the dollar, never a return. Gold also pays no interest, but it is a real asset with its own dollar price and a centuries-long reputation as a store of value. The durable pattern is one of temperament: the euro is the only major currency born in living memory and trades in wide ranges, while gold tends to hold its value over decades and rally when fear spikes. The honest test for gold is against the dollar's own purchasing power, U.S. CPI.
Returns by window
| Window | Euro | Gold (XAU/USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | -0% | 25% |
| 5 years | -3% | 127% |
| 10 years | 2% | 205% |
| since 2001 | 22% | 1,449% |
The price of return: risk
| Asset | Annual volatility | Worst drop |
|---|---|---|
| Euro | 9% | -38% |
| Gold | 17% | -42% |
$10,000 in each, since 2001
| Asset | Value today |
|---|---|
| Euro | $12,231 |
| Gold | $154,944 |
Frequently asked questions
Euro or Gold: which held up better?
Since 2001, Gold is ahead in dollar terms. But a currency held as cash earns no interest, so its figure is the move against the U.S. dollar, not a return.
Is a currency line a return?
No. Holding cash in any currency earns no interest by itself, so the line is only the exchange-rate move against the dollar. A real asset (gold, an index) carries a return — that contrast is the point of this page.
Does the bigger move mean the better holding?
Not on its own — yield and risk matter, and this is not investment advice. The page shows the dollar move and the largest drop; for cash, also weigh the interest you could earn elsewhere.
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Descriptive, educational content computed from official public data. Not investment advice. Past performance does not guarantee future results.