US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF (GOAU) belongs to the Gold category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with GOAU. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to GOAU
GOAU charges 0.60% annually. There are 19 ETFs in the Gold category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.09%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares Gold Trust Micro | 0.09% | 6.41B | Jun 2021 | GOAU vs IAUM | |
| SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust | 0.10% | 27.70B | Jun 2018 | GOAU vs GLDM | |
| Franklin Responsibly Sourced Gold ETF | 0.15% | 415.33M | Jun 2022 | GOAU vs FGDL | |
| abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF | 0.17% | 6.81B | Sep 2009 | GOAU vs SGOL | |
| GraniteShares Gold Trust | 0.17% | 1.37B | Aug 2017 | GOAU vs BAR |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to GOAU
GOAU has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 20. There are 27 ETFs in the Gold category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 38.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fun... | 38 | 446.44M | Mar 2022 | GOAU vs GDE | |
| Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF | 38 | 279.82M | Mar 2015 | GOAU vs SGDJ | |
| Sprott Active Gold & Silver Miners ETF | 34 | 141.74M | Feb 2025 | GOAU vs GBUG | |
| Global X Gold Explorers ETF | 33 | 107.26M | Nov 2010 | GOAU vs GOEX | |
| iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF | 32 | 2.29B | Jan 2012 | GOAU vs RING |
Top Performing GOAU Alternatives (YTD)
GOAU is at -14.40% YTD. There are 25 ETFs in the Gold category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 4.33%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DB Gold Short Exchange Traded Notes | 4.33% | 1.84M | Feb 2008 | GOAU vs DGZ | |
| ProShares UltraShort Gold | 1.11% | 113.41M | Dec 2008 | GOAU vs GLL | |
| WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fun... | 0.89% | 446.44M | Mar 2022 | GOAU vs GDE | |
| FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF | -4.15% | 51.07M | Jan 2021 | GOAU vs BGLD | |
| UBS AG ETRACS Gold Shares Covered Call ETNs due Fe... | -5.14% | 169.31M | Jan 2013 | GOAU vs GLDI |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to GOAU
GOAU has 48.08% 1-year volatility. There are 22 ETFs in the Gold category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 12.67%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF | 12.67% | 51.07M | Jan 2021 | GOAU vs BGLD | |
| UBS AG ETRACS Gold Shares Covered Call ETNs due Fe... | 16.47% | 169.31M | Jan 2013 | GOAU vs GLDI | |
| NEOS Gold High Income ETF | 21.82% | 478.03M | Jun 2025 | GOAU vs IAUI | |
| FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF | 24.88% | 510.89M | Mar 2021 | GOAU vs IGLD | |
| Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF | 25.04% | 25.43M | Apr 2025 | GOAU vs GOLI |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to GOAU
GOAU has a 1-year max drawdown of -36.04%. There are 19 ETFs in the Gold category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -12.43%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF | -12.43% | 51.07M | Jan 2021 | GOAU vs BGLD | |
| UBS AG ETRACS Gold Shares Covered Call ETNs due Fe... | -15.81% | 169.31M | Jan 2013 | GOAU vs GLDI | |
| NEOS Gold High Income ETF | -22.50% | 478.03M | Jun 2025 | GOAU vs IAUI | |
| WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fun... | -22.66% | 446.44M | Mar 2022 | GOAU vs GDE | |
| FT Vest Gold Strategy Target Income ETF | -23.84% | 510.89M | Mar 2021 | GOAU vs IGLD |
Other ETFs from US Global
The 3 most viewed US Global ETFs shown here include JETS, SEA, WAR and span 2 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $917M.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Global Jets ETF | Industrials Equities | 28 | 11.33% | 917.23M | Apr 2015 | GOAU vs JETS | |
| U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF | Industrials Equities | 77 | 25.24% | 14.70M | Jan 2022 | GOAU vs SEA | |
| U.S. Global Technology and Aerospace & Defense ETF | Aerospace & Defense | — | — | 39.59M | Dec 2024 | GOAU vs WAR |
Often Compared With GOAU
Investors most often compare GOAU with GDX, GDGB.L, IAU. These 20 comparison targets span 11 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare GOAU with Any Fund or Stock
Compare GOAU with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair GOAU with funds that move differently
US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to GOAU.
Explore GOAU Diversifiers