AAAU vs. GDX
Compare and contrast key facts about Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF (AAAU) and VanEck Vectors Gold Miners ETF (GDX).
AAAU and GDX are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. AAAU is a passively managed fund by Goldman Sachs that tracks the performance of the LBMA Gold PM Price. It was launched on Jul 26, 2018. GDX is a passively managed fund by VanEck that tracks the performance of the NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index. It was launched on May 22, 2006. Both AAAU and GDX are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.
Scroll down to visually compare performance, riskiness, drawdowns, and other indicators and decide which better suits your portfolio: AAAU or GDX.
Key characteristics
| AAAU | GDX | |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | 13.07% | 10.71% |
| 1Y Return | 17.14% | 4.69% |
| 3Y Return (Ann) | 9.23% | 0.12% |
| 5Y Return (Ann) | 12.48% | 11.42% |
| Sharpe Ratio | 1.35 | 0.11 |
| Daily Std Dev | 12.21% | 30.40% |
| Max Drawdown | -21.63% | -80.57% |
| Current Drawdown | -2.37% | -42.11% |
Correlation
The correlation between AAAU and GDX is 0.77, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Performance
AAAU vs. GDX - Performance Comparison
In the year-to-date period, AAAU achieves a 13.07% return, which is significantly higher than GDX's 10.71% return. The chart below displays the growth of a $10,000 investment in both assets, with all prices adjusted for splits and dividends.
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AAAU vs. GDX - Expense Ratio Comparison
AAAU has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than GDX's 0.53% expense ratio.
Risk-Adjusted Performance
AAAU vs. GDX - Risk-Adjusted Performance Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF (AAAU) and VanEck Vectors Gold Miners ETF (GDX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
Dividends
AAAU vs. GDX - Dividend Comparison
AAAU has not paid dividends to shareholders, while GDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.46%.
| TTM | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AAAU Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
GDX VanEck Vectors Gold Miners ETF | 1.46% | 1.61% | 1.66% | 1.67% | 0.53% | 0.65% | 0.50% | 0.76% | 0.26% | 0.85% | 0.66% | 0.90% |
Drawdowns
AAAU vs. GDX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum AAAU drawdown since its inception was -21.63%, smaller than the maximum GDX drawdown of -80.57%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AAAU and GDX. For additional features, visit the drawdowns tool.
Volatility
AAAU vs. GDX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF (AAAU) is 5.06%, while VanEck Vectors Gold Miners ETF (GDX) has a volatility of 9.48%. This indicates that AAAU experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GDX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.