ASCI vs. SGOL

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about abrdn International Small Cap Active ETF (ASCI) and abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF (SGOL).

ASCI and SGOL are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. ASCI is an actively managed fund by abrdn. It was launched on Oct 17, 2025. SGOL is a passively managed fund by abrdn that tracks the performance of the LBMA Gold Price PM ($/ozt). It was launched on Sep 9, 2009.

Performance

ASCI vs. SGOL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in abrdn International Small Cap Active ETF (ASCI) and abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF (SGOL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

ASCI vs. SGOL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ASCI abrdn International Small Cap Active ETF	-3.73%	1.11%
SGOL abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF	8.62%	-1.58%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ASCI achieves a -3.73% return, which is significantly lower than SGOL's 8.62% return.

ASCI

• 1D: 3.16%
• 1M: -7.77%
• YTD: -3.73%
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SGOL

• 1D: 3.77%
• 1M: -10.99%
• YTD: 8.62%
• 6M: 21.22%
• 1Y: 49.63%
• 3Y*: 33.23%
• 5Y*: 21.84%
• 10Y*: 14.11%

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

ASCI vs. SGOL - Expense Ratio Comparison

ASCI has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than SGOL's 0.17% expense ratio.

ASCI

abrdn International Small Cap Active ETF

SGOL

abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF

Return for Risk

ASCI vs. SGOL — Risk / Return Rank

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

SGOL

SGOL Risk / Return Rank: 87
SGOL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
SGOL Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
SGOL Omega Ratio Rank: 86
SGOL Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
SGOL Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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.

ASCI vs. SGOL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for abrdn International Small Cap Active ETF (ASCI) and abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF (SGOL). 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ASCI	SGOL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	1.81	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.25	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.89	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.34	0.58	-0.91

Correlation

The correlation between ASCI and SGOL is 0.27, which is considered to be low. This implies their price changes are not closely related. A low correlation is generally favorable for portfolio diversification, as it helps to reduce overall risk by spreading it across multiple assets with different performance patterns.

Dividends

ASCI vs. SGOL - Dividend Comparison

ASCI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.83%, while SGOL has not paid dividends to shareholders.

	TTM	2025
ASCI abrdn International Small Cap Active ETF	0.83%	0.80%
SGOL abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

ASCI vs. SGOL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ASCI drawdown since its inception was -11.22%, smaller than the maximum SGOL drawdown of -45.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ASCI and SGOL.

Drawdown Indicators

	ASCI	SGOL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.22%	-45.51%	+34.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-19.14%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-20.92%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-21.56%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.41%	-13.21%	+4.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.49%	-18.46%	+15.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	5.17%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	ASCI	SGOL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	10.97%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	24.00%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.79%	27.51%	-9.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.79%	17.63%	+0.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.79%	15.84%	+1.95%