FGADX vs. IXUS

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

FGADX (Franklin Gold and Precious Metals Fund Advisor Class) and IXUS (iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF) are both funds - FGADX is a Precious Metals fund actively managed by Franklin Templeton, while IXUS is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI ACWI ex USA Investable Market Index. FGADX is actively managed, while IXUS is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FGADX returned 16.11%/yr vs 9.78%/yr for IXUS. At a 0.40 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FGADX charges 0.62%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for IXUS.

Performance

FGADX vs. IXUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Franklin Gold and Precious Metals Fund Advisor Class (FGADX) and iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FGADX achieves a 5.68% return, which is significantly lower than IXUS's 14.51% return. Over the past 10 years, FGADX has outperformed IXUS with an annualized return of 16.11%, while IXUS has yielded a comparatively lower 9.78% annualized return.

FGADX

• 1D: -2.45%
• 1M: -0.55%
• YTD: 5.68%
• 6M: 18.02%
• 1Y: 85.55%
• 3Y*: 53.56%
• 5Y*: 21.01%
• 10Y*: 16.11%

IXUS

• 1D: -1.01%
• 1M: 4.91%
• YTD: 14.51%
• 6M: 17.16%
• 1Y: 32.15%
• 3Y*: 19.44%
• 5Y*: 8.38%
• 10Y*: 9.78%

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

FGADX vs. IXUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FGADX Franklin Gold and Precious Metals Fund Advisor Class	5.68%	197.29%	17.98%	2.20%	-23.24%	-3.76%	44.60%	51.87%	-17.89%	0.06%
IXUS iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF	14.51%	32.40%	5.19%	15.83%	-16.47%	8.86%	10.80%	21.71%	-14.41%	28.12%

Correlation

The correlation between FGADX and IXUS is 0.50, 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	0.50
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.53
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.57
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.44
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 25, 2012	0.40

The correlation between FGADX and IXUS shifts across timeframes, from 0.40 (all time) to 0.57 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FGADX vs. IXUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

FGADX

FGADX Risk / Return Rank: 48
FGADX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
FGADX Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
FGADX Omega Ratio Rank: 43
FGADX Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
FGADX Martin Ratio Rank: 40

IXUS

IXUS Risk / Return Rank: 60
IXUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
IXUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
IXUS Omega Ratio Rank: 62
IXUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
IXUS Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

FGADX vs. IXUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin Gold and Precious Metals Fund Advisor Class (FGADX) and iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS). 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.

	FGADX	IXUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.22	2.10	+0.12
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.51	2.89	-0.38
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.39	-0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.09	2.84	+0.25
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.76	11.13	-2.37
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FGADX vs. IXUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FGADX Sharpe Ratio is 2.22, which is comparable to the IXUS Sharpe Ratio of 2.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FGADX and IXUS, 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

	FGADX	IXUS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.22	2.10	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63	0.52	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49	0.57	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.26	0.49	-0.23

Drawdowns

FGADX vs. IXUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FGADX drawdown since its inception was -78.57%, which is greater than IXUS's maximum drawdown of -36.22%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FGADX and IXUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	FGADX	IXUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-78.57%	-36.22%	-42.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-31.15%	-11.36%	-19.79%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-31.15%	-13.75%	-17.40%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-48.77%	-30.04%	-18.73%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.27%	-36.22%	-13.05%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-21.48%	-1.01%	-20.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-34.72%	-7.50%	-27.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.98%	2.90%	+8.08%

Volatility

FGADX vs. IXUS - Volatility Comparison

Franklin Gold and Precious Metals Fund Advisor Class (FGADX) has a higher volatility of 13.57% compared to iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS) at 5.64%. This indicates that FGADX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IXUS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FGADX	IXUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.57%	5.64%	+7.93%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	35.26%	13.16%	+22.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	42.28%	15.37%	+26.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	33.68%	16.21%	+17.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	32.87%	17.07%	+15.80%

FGADX vs. IXUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

FGADX has a 0.62% expense ratio, which is higher than IXUS's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

FGADX vs. IXUS - Dividend Comparison

FGADX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.28%, more than IXUS's 2.83% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FGADX Franklin Gold and Precious Metals Fund Advisor Class	9.28%	9.81%	12.51%	3.09%	0.00%	8.83%	10.06%	0.00%	0.00%	0.62%	8.38%	0.00%
IXUS iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF	2.83%	3.24%	3.33%	3.13%	2.48%	3.12%	1.85%	3.09%	3.00%	2.41%	2.58%	2.81%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FGADX and IXUS in my portfolio?

FGADX and IXUS have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FGADX or IXUS?

FGADX has higher volatility (13.57%) compared to IXUS (5.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FGADX dropped -78.57% vs IXUS's -36.22%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FGADX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.22 vs 2.10), 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.