FGADX vs. MIDSX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

FGADX (Franklin Gold and Precious Metals Fund Advisor Class) and MIDSX (Midas Discovery) are both mutual funds - FGADX is a Gold fund actively managed by Franklin Templeton, while MIDSX is a Precious Metals fund managed by Midas. Over the past 10 years, FGADX returned 11.79%/yr vs 7.62%/yr for MIDSX. Their correlation of 0.90 means they have usually moved in the same direction. FGADX charges 0.62%/yr vs 4.25%/yr for MIDSX.

Performance

FGADX vs. MIDSX - 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 Midas Discovery (MIDSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FGADX achieves a -10.04% return, which is significantly lower than MIDSX's -8.60% return. Over the past 10 years, FGADX has outperformed MIDSX with an annualized return of 11.79%, while MIDSX has yielded a comparatively lower 7.62% annualized return.

FGADX

• 1D: 3.30%
• 1M: -4.24%
• 6M: -18.71%
• YTD: -10.04%
• 1Y: 66.07%
• 3Y*: 45.99%
• 5Y*: 19.78%
• 10Y*: 11.79%
• ALL TIME*: 7.92%

MIDSX

• 1D: 3.57%
• 1M: -5.06%
• 6M: -17.99%
• YTD: -8.60%
• 1Y: 59.50%
• 3Y*: 40.10%
• 5Y*: 18.07%
• 10Y*: 7.62%
• ALL TIME*: -0.88%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FGADX Franklin Gold and Precious Metals Fund Advisor Class	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
MIDSX Midas Discovery	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

FGADX vs. MIDSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FGADX Franklin Gold and Precious Metals Fund Advisor Class	-10.04%	197.29%	17.98%	2.20%	-23.24%	-3.76%	44.60%	51.87%	-17.89%	0.06%
MIDSX Midas Discovery	-8.60%	195.76%	7.27%	-1.79%	-11.11%	-19.23%	10.64%	30.56%	-12.90%	5.98%

Correlation

The correlation between FGADX and MIDSX is 0.96 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.96
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 31, 1996	0.90

The correlation between FGADX and MIDSX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FGADX vs. MIDSX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

FGADX

FGADX Risk / Return Rank: 47
FGADX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
FGADX Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
FGADX Omega Ratio Rank: 53
FGADX Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
FGADX Martin Ratio Rank: 28

MIDSX

MIDSX Risk / Return Rank: 41
MIDSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
MIDSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
MIDSX Omega Ratio Rank: 49
MIDSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
MIDSX Martin Ratio Rank: 26

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

FGADX vs. MIDSX - 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 Midas Discovery (MIDSX). 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.

	FGADX	MIDSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.45	1.32	+0.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.87	1.75	+0.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.24	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.79	1.60	+0.19
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.99	3.64	+0.35

FGADX vs. MIDSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FGADX Sharpe Ratio is 1.45, which is comparable to the MIDSX Sharpe Ratio of 1.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FGADX and MIDSX, 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

FGADX vs. MIDSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FGADX drawdown since its inception was -78.57%, smaller than the maximum MIDSX drawdown of -89.77%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FGADX and MIDSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FGADX	MIDSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-78.57%	-89.77%	+11.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-37.34%	-39.43%	+2.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-37.34%	-39.43%	+2.09%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-48.77%	-43.33%	-5.44%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.27%	-57.07%	+7.80%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-33.16%	-47.39%	+14.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-34.69%	-63.42%	+28.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	16.67%	17.27%	-0.60%

Volatility

FGADX vs. MIDSX - Volatility Comparison

Franklin Gold and Precious Metals Fund Advisor Class (FGADX) and Midas Discovery (MIDSX) have volatilities of 13.23% and 13.60%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FGADX	MIDSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.23%	13.60%	-0.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	38.56%	40.14%	-1.58%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	45.97%	47.72%	-1.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	34.65%	35.48%	-0.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	33.15%	33.74%	-0.59%

FGADX vs. MIDSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FGADX has a 0.62% expense ratio, which is lower than MIDSX's 4.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

FGADX vs. MIDSX - Dividend Comparison

FGADX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.91%, while MIDSX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
FGADX Franklin Gold and Precious Metals Fund Advisor Class	10.91%	9.81%	12.51%	3.09%	0.00%	8.83%	10.06%	0.00%	0.00%	0.62%	8.38%
MIDSX Midas Discovery	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FGADX and MIDSX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, FGADX and MIDSX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, FGADX or MIDSX?

MIDSX has higher volatility (13.60%) compared to FGADX (13.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FGADX dropped -78.57% vs MIDSX's -89.77%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FGADX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.45 vs 1.32), 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.