GOAU vs. EART

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

GOAU (US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF) and EART (Global X Rare Earth & Critical Materials ETF) are both Materials funds - GOAU tracks the U.S. Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners Index while EART tracks the Solactive Rare Earth & Critical Materials Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, GOAU returned 33.93%/yr vs 21.49%/yr for EART. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. GOAU charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for EART.

Performance

GOAU vs. EART - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF (GOAU) and Global X Rare Earth & Critical Materials ETF (EART). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GOAU achieves a -1.69% return, which is significantly lower than EART's 15.33% return.

GOAU

• 1D: 1.83%
• 1M: 2.05%
• YTD: -1.69%
• 6M: 2.10%
• 1Y: 38.05%
• 3Y*: 33.93%
• 5Y*: 15.62%
• 10Y*: —

EART

• 1D: -1.97%
• 1M: -1.23%
• YTD: 15.33%
• 6M: 25.98%
• 1Y: 109.62%
• 3Y*: 21.49%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

GOAU vs. EART - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
GOAU US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF	-1.69%	126.68%	13.78%	10.67%	-9.32%
EART Global X Rare Earth & Critical Materials ETF	15.33%	98.48%	-7.19%	-19.75%	-16.33%

Correlation

The correlation between GOAU and EART is 0.63, 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	0.63
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 27, 2022	0.57

The correlation between GOAU and EART has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.55 to 0.63 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GOAU vs. EART — Risk / Return Rank

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

GOAU

GOAU Risk / Return Rank: 25
GOAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
GOAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
GOAU Omega Ratio Rank: 26
GOAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
GOAU Martin Ratio Rank: 23

EART

EART Risk / Return Rank: 77
EART Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
EART Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
EART Omega Ratio Rank: 72
EART Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
EART Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

GOAU vs. EART - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF (GOAU) and Global X Rare Earth & Critical Materials ETF (EART). 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.

	GOAU	EART	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.84	2.90	-2.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.26	3.10	-1.84
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.42	-0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.23	4.23	-3.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.00	13.37	-10.36
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GOAU vs. EART - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GOAU Sharpe Ratio is 0.84, which is lower than the EART Sharpe Ratio of 2.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GOAU and EART, 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

	GOAU	EART	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.84	2.90	-2.07
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.25	+0.20

Drawdowns

GOAU vs. EART - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GOAU drawdown since its inception was -55.41%, roughly equal to the maximum EART drawdown of -53.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GOAU and EART.

Drawdown Indicators

	GOAU	EART	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.41%	-53.68%	-1.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-31.15%	-26.03%	-5.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-31.15%	-37.20%	+6.05%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-48.52%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-25.58%	-12.64%	-12.94%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.82%	-29.14%	+10.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.71%	8.23%	+4.48%

Volatility

GOAU vs. EART - Volatility Comparison

US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF (GOAU) has a higher volatility of 14.53% compared to Global X Rare Earth & Critical Materials ETF (EART) at 11.16%. This indicates that GOAU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EART based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GOAU	EART	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.53%	11.16%	+3.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	37.31%	31.43%	+5.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	45.71%	38.02%	+7.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.44%	33.97%	+2.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	35.51%	33.97%	+1.54%

GOAU vs. EART - Expense Ratio Comparison

GOAU has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than EART's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

GOAU vs. EART - Dividend Comparison

GOAU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.96%, more than EART's 0.56% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EART Global X Rare Earth & Critical Materials ETF	0.56%	0.65%	1.06%	1.83%	2.04%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
GOAU US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF	0.96%	0.94%	2.11%	0.99%	1.55%	1.28%	0.74%	0.16%	0.47%	0.27%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GOAU and EART in my portfolio?

GOAU and EART 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.

Which is riskier, GOAU or EART?

GOAU has higher volatility (14.53%) compared to EART (11.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GOAU dropped -55.41% vs EART's -53.68%.

Which ETF is better, GOAU or EART?

On 3-year performance, GOAU leads with 33.93% vs 21.49% for EART. On fees, EART is cheaper at 0.59% per year. On volatility, EART has been the lower-risk option at 11.16%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GOAU or EART?

Over the 3-year period, GOAU has performed better with a 33.93% return vs 21.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GOAU or EART?

EART is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for GOAU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GOAU or EART?

GOAU has the higher dividend yield at 0.96%, compared with 0.56% for EART.

What is the main difference between GOAU and EART?

GOAU tracks U.S. Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners Index, while EART tracks Solactive Rare Earth & Critical Materials Index. They also come from different issuers: US Global and Global X. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for GOAU and 0.59% for EART.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EART currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.90 vs 0.84), 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.