EAOA vs. GDE

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

EAOA (iShares ESG Aware Aggressive Allocation ETF) and GDE (WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - EAOA is a Diversified Portfolio fund tracking the BlackRock ESG Aware Aggressive Allocation Index, while GDE is a Gold fund actively managed by WisdomTree. EAOA is passively managed, while GDE is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, EAOA returned 17.47%/yr vs 47.34%/yr for GDE. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EAOA charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for GDE.

Performance

EAOA vs. GDE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares ESG Aware Aggressive Allocation ETF (EAOA) and WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund (GDE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EAOA achieves a 10.71% return, which is significantly lower than GDE's 11.30% return.

EAOA

• 1D: 0.38%
• 1M: 4.64%
• YTD: 10.71%
• 6M: 11.62%
• 1Y: 25.70%
• 3Y*: 17.47%
• 5Y*: 8.85%
• 10Y*: —

GDE

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: 1.24%
• YTD: 11.30%
• 6M: 13.79%
• 1Y: 54.85%
• 3Y*: 47.34%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

EAOA vs. GDE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
EAOA iShares ESG Aware Aggressive Allocation ETF	10.71%	18.41%	13.79%	18.27%	-11.02%
GDE WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund	11.30%	73.76%	44.79%	33.85%	-18.67%

Correlation

The correlation between EAOA and GDE is 0.60, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.60
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.64
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 18, 2022	0.69

The correlation between EAOA and GDE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.60 to 0.69 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

EAOA vs. GDE — Risk / Return Rank

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

EAOA

EAOA Risk / Return Rank: 71
EAOA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
EAOA Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
EAOA Omega Ratio Rank: 72
EAOA Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
EAOA Martin Ratio Rank: 74

GDE

GDE Risk / Return Rank: 52
GDE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
GDE Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
GDE Omega Ratio Rank: 57
GDE Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
GDE Martin Ratio Rank: 48

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.

EAOA vs. GDE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG Aware Aggressive Allocation ETF (EAOA) and WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund (GDE). 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.

	EAOA	GDE	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.41	1.94	+0.46
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.38	2.38	+1.00
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.35	+0.09
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.20	2.61	+0.59
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.21	8.19	+6.02
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EAOA vs. GDE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EAOA Sharpe Ratio is 2.41, which is comparable to the GDE Sharpe Ratio of 1.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EAOA and GDE, 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

	EAOA	GDE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.41	1.94	+0.46
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.94	1.17	-0.23

Drawdowns

EAOA vs. GDE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EAOA drawdown since its inception was -25.06%, smaller than the maximum GDE drawdown of -32.01%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EAOA and GDE.

Drawdown Indicators

	EAOA	GDE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.06%	-32.01%	+6.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.17%	-22.66%	+14.49%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.84%	-22.66%	+8.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.06%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-9.95%	+9.95%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.31%	-7.88%	+2.57%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.84%	7.22%	-5.38%

Volatility

EAOA vs. GDE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares ESG Aware Aggressive Allocation ETF (EAOA) is 3.33%, while WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund (GDE) has a volatility of 6.82%. This indicates that EAOA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GDE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EAOA	GDE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.33%	6.82%	-3.49%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.63%	24.19%	-15.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.72%	28.46%	-17.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.24%	26.12%	-12.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.14%	26.12%	-12.98%

EAOA vs. GDE - Expense Ratio Comparison

EAOA has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than GDE's 0.20% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

EAOA vs. GDE - Dividend Comparison

EAOA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.94%, less than GDE's 3.88% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
EAOA iShares ESG Aware Aggressive Allocation ETF	1.94%	2.10%	2.09%	2.21%	1.93%	1.48%	1.12%
GDE WisdomTree Efficient Gold Plus Equity Strategy Fund	3.88%	4.32%	7.14%	2.22%	0.81%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EAOA and GDE in my portfolio?

EAOA and GDE have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EAOA or GDE?

GDE has higher volatility (6.82%) compared to EAOA (3.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EAOA dropped -25.06% vs GDE's -32.01%.

Which ETF is better, EAOA or GDE?

On 3-year performance, GDE leads with 47.34% vs 17.47% for EAOA. On fees, EAOA is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, EAOA has been the lower-risk option at 3.33%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EAOA or GDE?

Over the 3-year period, GDE has performed better with a 47.34% return vs 17.47%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EAOA or GDE?

EAOA is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for GDE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EAOA or GDE?

GDE has the higher dividend yield at 3.88%, compared with 1.94% for EAOA.

What is the main difference between EAOA and GDE?

EAOA is categorized as Diversified Portfolio, while GDE is Gold. They also come from different issuers: iShares and WisdomTree. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for EAOA and 0.20% for GDE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EAOA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.41 vs 1.94), 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.