FXZ vs. GOAU
FXZ (First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund) and GOAU (US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FXZ is a Materials fund tracking the StrataQuant Materials Index, while GOAU is a Gold fund tracking the U.S. Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FXZ returned 7.59%/yr vs 14.44%/yr for GOAU. Their 0.33 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. FXZ charges 0.67%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for GOAU.
Performance
FXZ vs. GOAU - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FXZ achieves a 18.92% return, which is significantly higher than GOAU's -14.54% return.
FXZ
- 1D
- -1.69%
- 1M
- -2.68%
- 6M
- 7.26%
- YTD
- 18.92%
- 1Y
- 38.67%
- 3Y*
- 5.94%
- 5Y*
- 7.59%
- 10Y*
- 10.25%
- ALL TIME*
- 8.86%
GOAU
- 1D
- -3.13%
- 1M
- -5.89%
- 6M
- -21.51%
- YTD
- -14.54%
- 1Y
- 27.57%
- 3Y*
- 31.02%
- 5Y*
- 14.44%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 13.92%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3.44M | $3.68M | $4.56M | |
| $1.14M | $986.57K | $1.37M |
FXZ vs. GOAU - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FXZ First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund | 18.92% | 16.25% | -16.31% | 16.27% | -0.92% | 30.84% | 22.52% | 21.52% | -22.62% | 15.63% |
GOAU US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF | -14.54% | 126.68% | 13.78% | 10.67% | -11.66% | -9.23% | 14.13% | 54.17% | -11.88% | 7.81% |
Correlation
The correlation between FXZ and GOAU is 0.63, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.63 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.47 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.47 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 28, 2017 | 0.33 |
Over the past year, FXZ and GOAU have become more correlated (0.63) than their long-term average of 0.33, meaning their price movements have been converging.
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Return for Risk
FXZ vs. GOAU — Risk / Return Rank
FXZ
GOAU
FXZ vs. GOAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund (FXZ) and US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF (GOAU). 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.
| FXZ | GOAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.97 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.19 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.27 | 1.14 | +0.13 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.81 | 0.77 | +2.03 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.65 | 1.61 | +7.04 |
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Drawdowns
FXZ vs. GOAU - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FXZ drawdown since its inception was -65.46%, which is greater than GOAU's maximum drawdown of -55.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FXZ and GOAU.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FXZ | GOAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -65.46% | -55.41% | -10.05% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -12.75% | -37.94% | +25.19% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -33.99% | -37.94% | +3.95% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -33.99% | -48.52% | +14.53% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -49.41% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -9.42% | -35.31% | +25.89% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -11.31% | -19.05% | +7.74% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.13% | 18.10% | -13.97% |
Volatility
FXZ vs. GOAU - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund (FXZ) is 6.20%, while US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF (GOAU) has a volatility of 12.83%. This indicates that FXZ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GOAU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FXZ | GOAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.20% | 12.83% | -6.63% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 17.54% | 39.37% | -21.83% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 22.84% | 48.52% | -25.68% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 24.15% | 37.24% | -13.09% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 24.94% | 35.82% | -10.88% |
FXZ vs. GOAU - Expense Ratio Comparison
FXZ has a 0.67% expense ratio, which is higher than GOAU's 0.60% expense ratio.
Dividends
FXZ vs. GOAU - Dividend Comparison
FXZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.42%, more than GOAU's 1.10% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FXZ First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund | 1.42% | 1.74% | 1.81% | 1.97% | 1.56% | 1.11% | 1.51% | 1.58% | 1.38% | 1.01% | 1.19% | 1.26% |
GOAU US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF | 1.10% | 0.94% | 2.11% | 0.99% | 1.55% | 1.28% | 0.74% | 0.16% | 0.47% | 0.27% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FXZ and GOAU have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GOAU has higher volatility (12.83%) compared to FXZ (6.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FXZ dropped -65.46% vs GOAU's -55.41%.
On 5-year performance, GOAU leads with 14.44% vs 7.59% for FXZ. On fees, GOAU is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, FXZ has been the lower-risk option at 6.20%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, GOAU has performed better with a 14.44% return vs 7.59%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
GOAU is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.67% for FXZ.
FXZ has the higher dividend yield at 1.42%, compared with 1.10% for GOAU.
FXZ is categorized as Materials, while GOAU is Gold. FXZ tracks StrataQuant Materials Index, while GOAU tracks U.S. Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and US Global. Their fees differ too: 0.67% for FXZ and 0.60% for GOAU.
FXZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.57 vs 0.60), 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.
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