GAIN vs. GOAU

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

GAIN (Gladstone Investment Corporation) is a stock, while GOAU (US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF) is Materials fund tracking the U.S. Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners Index. Over the past 5 years, GAIN returned 14.16%/yr vs 16.34%/yr for GOAU. At a 0.13 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

GAIN vs. GOAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Gladstone Investment Corporation (GAIN) and US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF (GOAU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GAIN achieves a 17.76% return, which is significantly higher than GOAU's 0.05% return.

GAIN

• 1D: 0.69%
• 1M: -4.34%
• YTD: 17.76%
• 6M: 18.02%
• 1Y: 16.35%
• 3Y*: 21.80%
• 5Y*: 14.16%
• 10Y*: 19.79%

GOAU

• 1D: 1.19%
• 1M: 2.23%
• YTD: 0.05%
• 6M: 4.61%
• 1Y: 41.33%
• 3Y*: 35.05%
• 5Y*: 16.34%
• 10Y*: —

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

GAIN vs. GOAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GAIN Gladstone Investment Corporation	17.76%	17.11%	5.33%	31.01%	-17.55%	82.14%	-16.56%	53.31%	-9.67%	25.54%
GOAU US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF	0.05%	126.68%	13.78%	10.67%	-11.66%	-9.23%	14.13%	54.17%	-11.88%	7.92%

Correlation

The correlation between GAIN and GOAU is 0.12, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.12
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.15
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.20
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 29, 2017	0.13

Return for Risk

GAIN vs. GOAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

GAIN

GAIN Risk / Return Rank: 69
GAIN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
GAIN Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
GAIN Omega Ratio Rank: 61
GAIN Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
GAIN Martin Ratio Rank: 78

GOAU

GOAU Risk / Return Rank: 27
GOAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
GOAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
GOAU Omega Ratio Rank: 27
GOAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
GOAU Martin Ratio Rank: 27

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.

GAIN vs. GOAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Gladstone Investment Corporation (GAIN) 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.

	GAIN	GOAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.88	0.91	-0.03
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.33	1.34	0.00
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.19	-0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.18	1.57	+0.61
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.97	3.92	+2.05
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GAIN vs. GOAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GAIN Sharpe Ratio is 0.88, which is comparable to the GOAU Sharpe Ratio of 0.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GAIN and GOAU, 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

	GAIN	GOAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.88	0.91	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.64	0.45	+0.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.25	0.46	-0.21

Drawdowns

GAIN vs. GOAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GAIN drawdown since its inception was -80.87%, which is greater than GOAU's maximum drawdown of -55.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GAIN and GOAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	GAIN	GOAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-80.87%	-55.41%	-25.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.12%	-31.15%	+23.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.76%	-31.15%	+16.39%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.26%	-48.52%	+22.26%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-56.28%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.36%	-24.26%	+18.90%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.92%	-18.81%	+2.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.01%	12.49%	-9.48%

Volatility

GAIN vs. GOAU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Gladstone Investment Corporation (GAIN) is 10.75%, while US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF (GOAU) has a volatility of 14.05%. This indicates that GAIN 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.

Volatility by Period

	GAIN	GOAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.75%	14.05%	-3.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.84%	37.16%	-21.32%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.72%	45.84%	-27.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.28%	36.44%	-14.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.66%	35.50%	-9.84%

Dividends

GAIN vs. GOAU - Dividend Comparison

GAIN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.37%, more than GOAU's 0.94% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GAIN Gladstone Investment Corporation	9.37%	10.74%	12.53%	17.24%	9.88%	6.06%	9.22%	7.06%	9.24%	7.94%	8.87%	9.68%
GOAU US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF	0.94%	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

Can I hold both GAIN and GOAU in my portfolio?

GAIN and GOAU have a correlation of 0.12, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GAIN or GOAU?

GOAU has higher volatility (14.05%) compared to GAIN (10.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GAIN dropped -80.87% vs GOAU's -55.41%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GOAU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.91 vs 0.88), 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.