GOAU vs. GAIN

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

GOAU (US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF) is Gold fund tracking the U.S. Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners Index, while GAIN (Gladstone Investment Corporation) is a stock. Over the past 5 years, GOAU returned 16.06%/yr vs 12.41%/yr for GAIN. At a 0.13 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

GOAU vs. GAIN - 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 Gladstone Investment Corporation (GAIN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GOAU achieves a -9.63% return, which is significantly lower than GAIN's 10.04% return.

GOAU

• 1D: -4.57%
• 1M: -6.67%
• YTD: -9.63%
• 6M: -13.51%
• 1Y: 30.40%
• 3Y*: 34.51%
• 5Y*: 16.06%
• 10Y*: —

GAIN

• 1D: 1.36%
• 1M: -5.91%
• YTD: 10.04%
• 6M: 13.29%
• 1Y: 13.73%
• 3Y*: 19.59%
• 5Y*: 12.41%
• 10Y*: 18.72%

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

GOAU vs. GAIN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GOAU US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF	-9.63%	126.68%	13.78%	10.67%	-11.66%	-9.23%	14.13%	54.17%	-11.88%	7.81%
GAIN Gladstone Investment Corporation	10.04%	17.11%	5.33%	31.01%	-17.55%	82.14%	-16.56%	53.31%	-9.67%	25.41%

Correlation

The correlation between GOAU and GAIN 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 28, 2017	0.13

Return for Risk

GOAU vs. GAIN — Risk / Return Rank

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

GOAU

GOAU Risk / Return Rank: 20
GOAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
GOAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
GOAU Omega Ratio Rank: 22
GOAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
GOAU Martin Ratio Rank: 19

GAIN

GAIN Risk / Return Rank: 64
GAIN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
GAIN Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
GAIN Omega Ratio Rank: 59
GAIN Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
GAIN 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. GAIN - 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 Gladstone Investment Corporation (GAIN). 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	GAIN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.64	0.73	-0.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.07	1.12	-0.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.15	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.85	1.08	-0.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.14	3.97	-1.83

GOAU vs. GAIN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GOAU Sharpe Ratio is 0.64, which is comparable to the GAIN Sharpe Ratio of 0.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GOAU and GAIN, 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. GAIN - Drawdown Comparison

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

Drawdown Indicators

	GOAU	GAIN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.41%	-80.87%	+25.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-35.89%	-12.75%	-23.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-35.89%	-14.76%	-21.13%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-48.52%	-26.26%	-22.26%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-56.28%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-31.59%	-11.56%	-20.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.87%	-15.90%	-2.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	14.22%	3.46%	+10.76%

Volatility

GOAU vs. GAIN - Volatility Comparison

US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF (GOAU) has a higher volatility of 16.80% compared to Gladstone Investment Corporation (GAIN) at 6.39%. This indicates that GOAU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GAIN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GOAU	GAIN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	16.80%	6.39%	+10.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	39.79%	16.69%	+23.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	47.71%	19.02%	+28.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.93%	22.31%	+14.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	35.74%	25.72%	+10.02%

Dividends

GOAU vs. GAIN - Dividend Comparison

GOAU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.04%, less than GAIN's 6.45% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GAIN Gladstone Investment Corporation	6.45%	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	1.04%	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 GOAU and GAIN in my portfolio?

GOAU and GAIN 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, GOAU or GAIN?

GOAU has higher volatility (16.80%) compared to GAIN (6.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GOAU dropped -55.41% vs GAIN's -80.87%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GAIN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.72 vs 0.64), 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.