CEF vs. AAAU

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

CEF (Sprott Physical Gold and Silver Trust) and AAAU (Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF) are both Gold funds. CEF is actively managed, while AAAU is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, CEF returned 16.96%/yr vs 17.33%/yr for AAAU. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. CEF charges 0.48%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for AAAU.

Performance

CEF vs. AAAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Sprott Physical Gold and Silver Trust (CEF) 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, CEF achieves a -4.91% return, which is significantly lower than AAAU's -2.40% return.

CEF

• 1D: 0.62%
• 1M: -9.04%
• YTD: -4.91%
• 6M: 0.53%
• 1Y: 40.89%
• 3Y*: 33.17%
• 5Y*: 16.96%
• 10Y*: 12.56%

AAAU

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

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

CEF vs. AAAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
CEF Sprott Physical Gold and Silver Trust	-4.91%	92.76%	24.07%	6.80%	1.07%	-8.32%	31.99%	16.91%	5.56%
AAAU Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF	-2.40%	64.06%	26.91%	12.96%	-0.50%	-4.01%	25.02%	18.17%	8.28%

Correlation

The correlation between CEF and AAAU is 0.90, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 15, 2018	0.90

The correlation between CEF and AAAU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

CEF vs. AAAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

CEF

CEF Risk / Return Rank: 23
CEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
CEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
CEF Omega Ratio Rank: 29
CEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
CEF Martin Ratio Rank: 18

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

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.

CEF vs. AAAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sprott Physical Gold and Silver Trust (CEF) 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.

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.

	CEF	AAAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.09	0.89	+0.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.45	1.26	+0.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.19	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.41	0.99	+0.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.72	2.86	+0.85

CEF vs. AAAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CEF Sharpe Ratio is 1.09, which is comparable to the AAAU Sharpe Ratio of 0.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CEF 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.

Drawdowns

CEF vs. AAAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CEF drawdown since its inception was -62.29%, which is greater than AAAU's maximum drawdown of -24.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CEF and AAAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	CEF	AAAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.29%	-24.38%	-37.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-30.01%	-24.38%	-5.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.01%	-24.38%	-5.63%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.01%	-24.38%	-5.63%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-30.01%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-26.45%	-21.95%	-4.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-27.33%	-6.23%	-21.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.35%	8.44%	+2.91%

Volatility

CEF vs. AAAU - Volatility Comparison

Sprott Physical Gold and Silver Trust (CEF) has a higher volatility of 11.51% compared to Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF (AAAU) at 7.77%. This indicates that CEF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AAAU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CEF	AAAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.51%	7.77%	+3.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	36.13%	23.88%	+12.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	38.81%	27.10%	+11.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.54%	18.06%	+6.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.96%	17.13%	+4.83%

CEF vs. AAAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

CEF has a 0.48% expense ratio, which is higher than AAAU's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

CEF vs. AAAU - Dividend Comparison

Neither CEF nor AAAU has 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%
CEF Sprott Physical Gold and Silver Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.08%	0.07%	0.09%	0.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CEF and AAAU in my portfolio?

CEF and AAAU have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CEF or AAAU?

CEF has higher volatility (11.51%) compared to AAAU (7.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CEF dropped -62.29% vs AAAU's -24.38%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CEF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.09 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.