AAAU vs. SWPPX

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

AAAU (Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF) and SWPPX (Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund) are both funds - AAAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold PM Price, while SWPPX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, AAAU returned 17.33%/yr vs 13.31%/yr for SWPPX. At a 0.08 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. AAAU charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.02%/yr for SWPPX.

Performance

AAAU vs. SWPPX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF (AAAU) and Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund (SWPPX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AAAU achieves a -2.40% return, which is significantly lower than SWPPX's 8.55% return.

AAAU

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: -7.36%
• YTD: -2.40%
• 6M: -2.14%
• 1Y: 22.47%
• 3Y*: 29.19%
• 5Y*: 17.33%
• 10Y*: —

SWPPX

• 1D: 1.76%
• 1M: -0.10%
• YTD: 8.55%
• 6M: 8.92%
• 1Y: 25.15%
• 3Y*: 21.04%
• 5Y*: 13.31%
• 10Y*: 15.41%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AAAU vs. SWPPX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
AAAU Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF	-2.40%	64.06%	26.91%	12.96%	-0.50%	-4.01%	25.02%	18.17%	8.28%
SWPPX Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund	8.55%	17.87%	24.96%	26.26%	-18.14%	28.67%	18.38%	31.46%	-11.10%

Correlation

The correlation between AAAU and SWPPX is 0.25, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.25
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.16
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.12
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 15, 2018	0.08

The correlation between AAAU and SWPPX shifts across timeframes, from 0.08 (all time) to 0.25 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

AAAU vs. SWPPX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

AAAU

AAAU Risk / Return Rank: 26
AAAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
AAAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
AAAU Omega Ratio Rank: 31
AAAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
AAAU Martin Ratio Rank: 24

SWPPX

SWPPX Risk / Return Rank: 73
SWPPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
SWPPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
SWPPX Omega Ratio Rank: 68
SWPPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
SWPPX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

AAAU vs. SWPPX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF (AAAU) and Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund (SWPPX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	AAAU	SWPPX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.89	1.96	-1.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.26	2.66	-1.40
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.36	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.99	2.74	-1.74
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.86	12.42	-9.56

AAAU vs. SWPPX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AAAU Sharpe Ratio is 0.89, which is lower than the SWPPX Sharpe Ratio of 1.96. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AAAU and SWPPX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

AAAU vs. SWPPX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AAAU drawdown since its inception was -24.38%, smaller than the maximum SWPPX drawdown of -55.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AAAU and SWPPX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AAAU	SWPPX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.38%	-55.06%	+30.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-24.38%	-8.89%	-15.49%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.38%	-18.74%	-5.64%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.38%	-24.51%	+0.13%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.80%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-21.95%	-2.81%	-19.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.23%	-9.94%	+3.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.44%	1.96%	+6.48%

Volatility

AAAU vs. SWPPX - Volatility Comparison

Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF (AAAU) has a higher volatility of 7.77% compared to Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund (SWPPX) at 4.47%. This indicates that AAAU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SWPPX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AAAU	SWPPX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.77%	4.47%	+3.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.88%	9.73%	+14.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.10%	12.40%	+14.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.06%	17.01%	+1.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.13%	18.26%	-1.13%

AAAU vs. SWPPX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AAAU has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is higher than SWPPX's 0.02% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

AAAU vs. SWPPX - Dividend Comparison

AAAU has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SWPPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.02%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
SWPPX Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund	1.02%	1.11%	1.23%	1.43%	1.67%	1.27%	1.81%	1.95%	2.67%	1.79%	2.55%	3.17%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AAAU and SWPPX in my portfolio?

AAAU and SWPPX have a correlation of 0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AAAU or SWPPX?

AAAU has higher volatility (7.77%) compared to SWPPX (4.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AAAU dropped -24.38% vs SWPPX's -55.06%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SWPPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.96 vs 0.89), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.