BBNTX vs. AAAU

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

BBNTX (Sterling Capital North Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund) and AAAU (Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF) are both funds - BBNTX is a Municipal Bonds fund managed by Sterling Capital, while AAAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold PM Price. Over the past 5 years, BBNTX returned 0.74%/yr vs 18.60%/yr for AAAU. At a 0.16 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BBNTX charges 0.57%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for AAAU.

Performance

BBNTX vs. AAAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Sterling Capital North Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund (BBNTX) and Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF (AAAU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BBNTX achieves a 0.62% return, which is significantly lower than AAAU's 3.83% return.

BBNTX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 0.43%
• YTD: 0.62%
• 6M: 0.95%
• 1Y: 4.80%
• 3Y*: 3.11%
• 5Y*: 0.74%
• 10Y*: 1.49%

AAAU

• 1D: 0.87%
• 1M: -1.63%
• YTD: 3.83%
• 6M: 6.34%
• 1Y: 32.55%
• 3Y*: 31.47%
• 5Y*: 18.60%
• 10Y*: —

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

BBNTX vs. AAAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
BBNTX Sterling Capital North Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund	0.62%	5.19%	0.45%	3.64%	-5.86%	-0.23%	4.26%	6.09%	1.06%
AAAU Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF	3.83%	64.06%	26.91%	12.96%	-0.50%	-4.01%	25.02%	18.17%	9.20%

Correlation

The correlation between BBNTX and AAAU is 0.20, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.20
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.11
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.15
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 16, 2018	0.16

Return for Risk

BBNTX vs. AAAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

BBNTX

BBNTX Risk / Return Rank: 53
BBNTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
BBNTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
BBNTX Omega Ratio Rank: 87
BBNTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
BBNTX Martin Ratio Rank: 22

AAAU

AAAU Risk / Return Rank: 34
AAAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
AAAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
AAAU Omega Ratio Rank: 39
AAAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
AAAU Martin Ratio Rank: 30

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.

BBNTX vs. AAAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sterling Capital North Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund (BBNTX) and Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF (AAAU). 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.

	BBNTX	AAAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.33	1.24	+1.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.44	1.64	+1.80
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.61	1.25	+0.36
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.75	1.71	+0.04
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.51	4.21	+1.31
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BBNTX vs. AAAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BBNTX Sharpe Ratio is 2.33, which is higher than the AAAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BBNTX and AAAU, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BBNTX	AAAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.33	1.24	+1.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.26	1.05	-0.79
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.46	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.22	1.09	+0.13

Drawdowns

BBNTX vs. AAAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BBNTX drawdown since its inception was -10.25%, smaller than the maximum AAAU drawdown of -21.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BBNTX and AAAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	BBNTX	AAAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.25%	-21.63%	+11.38%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.81%	-19.13%	+16.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.15%	-19.13%	+14.98%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-10.16%	-20.94%	+10.78%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-10.25%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.17%	-16.97%	+15.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.46%	-6.19%	+4.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.89%	7.76%	-6.87%

Volatility

BBNTX vs. AAAU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Sterling Capital North Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund (BBNTX) is 0.89%, while Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF (AAAU) has a volatility of 5.51%. This indicates that BBNTX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AAAU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BBNTX	AAAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.89%	5.51%	-4.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.75%	22.94%	-21.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.11%	26.33%	-24.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.84%	17.83%	-14.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.22%	16.99%	-13.77%

BBNTX vs. AAAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

BBNTX has a 0.57% expense ratio, which is higher than AAAU's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

BBNTX vs. AAAU - Dividend Comparison

BBNTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.68%, while AAAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

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%
BBNTX Sterling Capital North Carolina Intermediate Tax-Free Fund	2.68%	3.52%	2.82%	2.07%	1.94%	1.59%	1.62%	2.43%	2.51%	2.39%	2.73%	2.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BBNTX and AAAU in my portfolio?

BBNTX and AAAU have a correlation of 0.20, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BBNTX or AAAU?

AAAU has higher volatility (5.51%) compared to BBNTX (0.89%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BBNTX dropped -10.25% vs AAAU's -21.63%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BBNTX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs 1.24), 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.