GFI vs. RING

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

GFI (Gold Fields Limited) is a stock, while RING (iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF) is Gold fund tracking the MSCI ACWI Select Gold Miners Investable Market Index. Over the past 10 years, GFI returned 27.45%/yr vs 13.85%/yr for RING. A 0.80 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

GFI vs. RING - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Gold Fields Limited (GFI) and iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF (RING). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GFI achieves a -13.96% return, which is significantly lower than RING's -5.54% return. Over the past 10 years, GFI has outperformed RING with an annualized return of 27.45%, while RING has yielded a comparatively lower 13.85% annualized return.

GFI

• 1D: 1.67%
• 1M: -18.49%
• YTD: -13.96%
• 6M: -13.63%
• 1Y: 50.40%
• 3Y*: 39.19%
• 5Y*: 32.03%
• 10Y*: 27.45%

RING

• 1D: 3.20%
• 1M: -16.79%
• YTD: -5.54%
• 6M: -4.18%
• 1Y: 56.55%
• 3Y*: 44.87%
• 5Y*: 18.76%
• 10Y*: 13.85%

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

GFI vs. RING - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GFI Gold Fields Limited	-13.96%	240.42%	-6.27%	44.90%	-2.61%	23.33%	43.02%	89.47%	-16.75%	45.29%
RING iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF	-5.54%	164.72%	15.98%	12.29%	-15.40%	-7.46%	24.98%	49.92%	-13.14%	10.24%

Correlation

The correlation between GFI and RING is 0.90, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2012	0.80

The correlation between GFI and RING shifts across timeframes, from 0.80 (all time) to 0.90 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

GFI vs. RING — Risk / Return Rank

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

GFI

GFI Risk / Return Rank: 67
GFI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
GFI Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
GFI Omega Ratio Rank: 66
GFI Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
GFI Martin Ratio Rank: 68

RING

RING Risk / Return Rank: 36
RING Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
RING Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
RING Omega Ratio Rank: 39
RING Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
RING Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

GFI vs. RING - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Gold Fields Limited (GFI) and iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF (RING). 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.

	GFI	RING	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.85	1.20	-0.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.41	1.62	-0.21
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.23	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.15	1.59	-0.44
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.06	4.45	-1.39

GFI vs. RING - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GFI Sharpe Ratio is 0.85, which is comparable to the RING Sharpe Ratio of 1.20. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GFI and RING, 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

GFI vs. RING - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GFI drawdown since its inception was -88.05%, which is greater than RING's maximum drawdown of -79.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GFI and RING.

Drawdown Indicators

	GFI	RING	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-88.05%	-79.47%	-8.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-43.90%	-35.72%	-8.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-43.90%	-35.72%	-8.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-56.22%	-47.94%	-8.28%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-63.09%	-52.04%	-11.05%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-38.93%	-30.03%	-8.90%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-44.25%	-47.36%	+3.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	16.51%	12.74%	+3.77%

Volatility

GFI vs. RING - Volatility Comparison

Gold Fields Limited (GFI) has a higher volatility of 17.70% compared to iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF (RING) at 16.83%. This indicates that GFI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RING based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GFI	RING	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	17.70%	16.83%	+0.87%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	46.40%	39.11%	+7.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	59.94%	47.31%	+12.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	52.37%	36.81%	+15.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	54.90%	36.70%	+18.20%

Dividends

GFI vs. RING - Dividend Comparison

GFI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.04%, more than RING's 0.89% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GFI Gold Fields Limited	5.04%	1.77%	2.94%	2.87%	3.40%	3.24%	1.72%	0.81%	1.61%	1.41%	1.35%	0.60%
RING iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF	0.89%	0.84%	1.43%	2.01%	2.29%	2.38%	0.83%	0.83%	0.70%	0.42%	1.41%	0.96%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GFI and RING in my portfolio?

GFI and RING have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GFI or RING?

GFI has higher volatility (17.70%) compared to RING (16.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GFI dropped -88.05% vs RING's -79.47%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RING currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.20 vs 0.85), 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.