GOAU vs. FSAGX

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

GOAU (US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF) and FSAGX (Fidelity Select Gold Portfolio) are both Gold funds. Over the past 5 years, GOAU returned 15.29%/yr vs 14.91%/yr for FSAGX. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GOAU charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.73%/yr for FSAGX.

Performance

GOAU vs. FSAGX - 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 Fidelity Select Gold Portfolio (FSAGX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GOAU achieves a -12.48% return, which is significantly lower than FSAGX's -10.75% return.

GOAU

• 1D: -0.35%
• 1M: -12.66%
• YTD: -12.48%
• 6M: -15.93%
• 1Y: 30.69%
• 3Y*: 32.68%
• 5Y*: 15.29%
• 10Y*: —

FSAGX

• 1D: -4.32%
• 1M: -15.15%
• YTD: -10.75%
• 6M: -14.54%
• 1Y: 39.98%
• 3Y*: 36.34%
• 5Y*: 14.91%
• 10Y*: 9.60%

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

GOAU vs. FSAGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GOAU US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF	-12.48%	126.68%	13.78%	10.67%	-11.66%	-9.23%	14.13%	54.17%	-11.88%	7.81%
FSAGX Fidelity Select Gold Portfolio	-10.75%	143.05%	14.97%	-0.37%	-13.46%	-10.44%	26.83%	35.50%	-13.00%	1.52%

Correlation

The correlation between GOAU and FSAGX is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 28, 2017	0.93

The correlation between GOAU and FSAGX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GOAU vs. FSAGX — Risk / Return Rank

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

GOAU

GOAU Risk / Return Rank: 21
GOAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
GOAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
GOAU Omega Ratio Rank: 23
GOAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
GOAU Martin Ratio Rank: 20

FSAGX

FSAGX Risk / Return Rank: 15
FSAGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
FSAGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
FSAGX Omega Ratio Rank: 18
FSAGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 16
FSAGX Martin Ratio Rank: 13

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. FSAGX - 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 Fidelity Select Gold Portfolio (FSAGX). 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.

	GOAU	FSAGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.65	0.88	-0.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.08	1.31	-0.23
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.18	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.86	1.13	-0.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.12	2.98	-0.87

GOAU vs. FSAGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GOAU Sharpe Ratio is 0.65, which is comparable to the FSAGX Sharpe Ratio of 0.88. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GOAU and FSAGX, 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

GOAU vs. FSAGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GOAU drawdown since its inception was -55.41%, smaller than the maximum FSAGX drawdown of -77.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GOAU and FSAGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	GOAU	FSAGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.41%	-77.21%	+21.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-35.89%	-35.40%	-0.49%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-35.89%	-35.40%	-0.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-48.52%	-45.94%	-2.58%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-50.57%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-33.74%	-34.64%	+0.90%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.88%	-33.34%	+14.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	14.53%	13.42%	+1.11%

Volatility

GOAU vs. FSAGX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF (GOAU) is 16.47%, while Fidelity Select Gold Portfolio (FSAGX) has a volatility of 18.11%. This indicates that GOAU experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FSAGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GOAU	FSAGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	16.47%	18.11%	-1.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	39.63%	38.31%	+1.32%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	47.71%	45.50%	+2.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.95%	34.22%	+2.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	35.74%	33.40%	+2.34%

GOAU vs. FSAGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

GOAU has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than FSAGX's 0.73% expense ratio.

Dividends

GOAU vs. FSAGX - Dividend Comparison

GOAU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.07%, less than FSAGX's 5.75% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
FSAGX Fidelity Select Gold Portfolio	5.75%	2.17%	3.62%	0.99%	0.36%	1.60%	4.40%	0.40%	0.00%	0.22%	3.57%
GOAU US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF	1.07%	0.94%	2.11%	0.99%	1.55%	1.28%	0.74%	0.16%	0.47%	0.27%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GOAU and FSAGX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, GOAU and FSAGX 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, GOAU or FSAGX?

FSAGX has higher volatility (18.11%) compared to GOAU (16.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GOAU dropped -55.41% vs FSAGX's -77.21%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FSAGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.88 vs 0.65), 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.