GOAU vs. PSPFX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

GOAU (US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF) and PSPFX (U.S. Global Investors Global Resources Fund) are both funds - GOAU is a Materials fund tracking the U.S. Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners Index, while PSPFX is a Energy Equities fund managed by US Global. Over the past 5 years, GOAU returned 15.62%/yr vs 8.87%/yr for PSPFX. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. GOAU charges 0.60%/yr vs 1.54%/yr for PSPFX.

Performance

GOAU vs. PSPFX - 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 U.S. Global Investors Global Resources Fund (PSPFX). 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 PSPFX's 12.77% return.

GOAU

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

PSPFX

• 1D: -3.53%
• 1M: 0.39%
• YTD: 12.77%
• 6M: 19.61%
• 1Y: 77.56%
• 3Y*: 23.14%
• 5Y*: 8.87%
• 10Y*: 9.71%

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

GOAU vs. PSPFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GOAU US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF	-1.69%	126.68%	13.78%	10.67%	-11.66%	-9.23%	14.13%	54.17%	-11.88%	7.92%
PSPFX U.S. Global Investors Global Resources Fund	12.77%	80.27%	-3.74%	-7.67%	-12.39%	13.97%	37.05%	7.80%	-24.97%	16.51%

Correlation

The correlation between GOAU and PSPFX is 0.75, 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	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 29, 2017	0.60

The correlation between GOAU and PSPFX shifts across timeframes, from 0.60 (all time) to 0.75 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

GOAU vs. PSPFX — 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

PSPFX

PSPFX Risk / Return Rank: 79
PSPFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
PSPFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
PSPFX Omega Ratio Rank: 74
PSPFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
PSPFX Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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. PSPFX - 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 U.S. Global Investors Global Resources Fund (PSPFX). 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	PSPFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.84	2.87	-2.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.26	3.24	-1.98
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.48	-0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.23	4.34	-3.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.00	15.86	-12.86
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. PSPFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GOAU Sharpe Ratio is 0.84, which is lower than the PSPFX Sharpe Ratio of 2.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GOAU and PSPFX, 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	PSPFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.84	2.87	-2.03
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43	0.39	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.45	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.20	+0.25

Drawdowns

GOAU vs. PSPFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GOAU drawdown since its inception was -55.41%, smaller than the maximum PSPFX drawdown of -79.09%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GOAU and PSPFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	GOAU	PSPFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.41%	-79.09%	+23.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-31.15%	-17.96%	-13.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-31.15%	-20.50%	-10.65%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-48.52%	-39.15%	-9.37%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-56.80%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-25.58%	-9.73%	-15.85%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.82%	-42.50%	+23.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.71%	4.91%	+7.80%

Volatility

GOAU vs. PSPFX - Volatility Comparison

US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF (GOAU) has a higher volatility of 14.53% compared to U.S. Global Investors Global Resources Fund (PSPFX) at 8.95%. This indicates that GOAU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PSPFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GOAU	PSPFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.53%	8.95%	+5.58%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	37.31%	23.05%	+14.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	45.71%	27.18%	+18.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.44%	23.14%	+13.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	35.51%	21.85%	+13.66%

GOAU vs. PSPFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

GOAU has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than PSPFX's 1.54% expense ratio.

Dividends

GOAU vs. PSPFX - Dividend Comparison

GOAU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.96%, less than PSPFX's 40.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%	0.00%	0.00%
PSPFX U.S. Global Investors Global Resources Fund	40.26%	0.83%	4.34%	0.00%	15.68%	18.92%	5.49%	1.90%	4.70%	3.01%	3.33%	1.12%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GOAU and PSPFX in my portfolio?

GOAU and PSPFX have a correlation of 0.75, 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 PSPFX?

GOAU has higher volatility (14.53%) compared to PSPFX (8.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GOAU dropped -55.41% vs PSPFX's -79.09%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PSPFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.87 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.