AUAU vs. DGZ

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

AUAU (Global X Gold Miners ETF) and DGZ (DB Gold Short Exchange Traded Notes) are both exchange-traded funds - AUAU is a Gold fund tracking the NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index, while DGZ is a Inverse Commodities fund tracking the Deutsche Bank Liquid Commodity Index - Optimum Yield Gold Excess Return (-100%). Both are passively managed. At a correlation of -0.22, they often move in opposite directions. AUAU charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for DGZ.

Performance

AUAU vs. DGZ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X Gold Miners ETF (AUAU) and DB Gold Short Exchange Traded Notes (DGZ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AUAU achieves a -15.85% return, which is significantly lower than DGZ's 9.14% return.

AUAU

• 1D: -3.66%
• 1M: -17.98%
• 6M: -25.47%
• YTD: -15.85%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DGZ

• 1D: 4.61%
• 1M: 7.30%
• 6M: 15.09%
• YTD: 9.14%
• 1Y: -10.08%
• 3Y*: -15.34%
• 5Y*: -9.64%
• 10Y*: -7.43%

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

AUAU vs. DGZ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
AUAU Global X Gold Miners ETF	-15.85%	4.18%
DGZ DB Gold Short Exchange Traded Notes	9.14%	-1.27%

Correlation

The correlation between AUAU and DGZ is -0.22, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 10, 2025	-0.22

Return for Risk

AUAU vs. DGZ — Risk / Return Rank

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

AUAU

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

DGZ

DGZ Risk / Return Rank: 9
DGZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
DGZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
DGZ Omega Ratio Rank: 11
DGZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
DGZ Martin Ratio Rank: 7

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.

AUAU vs. DGZ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X Gold Miners ETF (AUAU) and DB Gold Short Exchange Traded Notes (DGZ). 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.

	AUAU	DGZ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	-0.14	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	0.30	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.04	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	-0.28	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	-0.50	—

Drawdowns

AUAU vs. DGZ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AUAU drawdown since its inception was -37.84%, smaller than the maximum DGZ drawdown of -86.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AUAU and DGZ.

Drawdown Indicators

	AUAU	DGZ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.84%	-86.32%	+48.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-36.14%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-59.54%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-61.54%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-71.49%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-37.84%	-81.30%	+43.46%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.39%	-57.88%	+41.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	20.22%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	AUAU	DGZ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	24.11%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	59.30%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	51.04%	70.46%	-19.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	51.04%	37.01%	+14.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	51.04%	28.48%	+22.56%

AUAU vs. DGZ - Expense Ratio Comparison

AUAU has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than DGZ's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

AUAU vs. DGZ - Dividend Comparison

AUAU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.74%, while DGZ has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM
AUAU Global X Gold Miners ETF	0.74%
DGZ DB Gold Short Exchange Traded Notes	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AUAU and DGZ in my portfolio?

AUAU and DGZ have a correlation of -0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, AUAU or DGZ?

On fees, AUAU is cheaper at 0.35% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, AUAU or DGZ?

AUAU is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for DGZ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AUAU or DGZ?

AUAU has the higher dividend yield at 0.74%, compared with 0.00% for DGZ.

What is the main difference between AUAU and DGZ?

AUAU is categorized as Gold, while DGZ is Inverse Commodities. AUAU tracks NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index, while DGZ tracks Deutsche Bank Liquid Commodity Index - Optimum Yield Gold Excess Return (-100%). They also come from different issuers: Global X and Deutsche Bank. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for AUAU and 0.75% for DGZ.