GOAU vs. SVOL

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

GOAU (US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF) and SVOL (Simplify Volatility Premium ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GOAU is a Materials fund tracking the U.S. Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners Index, while SVOL is a Volatility fund actively managed by Simplify. GOAU is passively managed, while SVOL is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, GOAU returned 15.62%/yr vs 6.92%/yr for SVOL. At a 0.23 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GOAU charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for SVOL.

Performance

GOAU vs. SVOL - 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 Simplify Volatility Premium ETF (SVOL). 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 SVOL's 0.65% return.

GOAU

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

SVOL

• 1D: 1.06%
• 1M: 3.88%
• YTD: 0.65%
• 6M: 2.31%
• 1Y: 11.29%
• 3Y*: 6.99%
• 5Y*: 6.92%
• 10Y*: —

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

GOAU vs. SVOL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
GOAU US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF	-1.69%	126.68%	13.78%	10.67%	-11.66%	-12.83%
SVOL Simplify Volatility Premium ETF	0.65%	2.41%	6.77%	22.88%	-3.30%	12.25%

Correlation

The correlation between GOAU and SVOL is 0.18, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.18
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.18
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.23
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 14, 2021	0.23

Return for Risk

GOAU vs. SVOL — 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

SVOL

SVOL Risk / Return Rank: 19
SVOL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
SVOL Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
SVOL Omega Ratio Rank: 20
SVOL Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
SVOL Martin Ratio Rank: 19

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. SVOL - 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 Simplify Volatility Premium ETF (SVOL). 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	SVOL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.84	0.54	+0.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.26	0.89	+0.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.12	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.23	0.87	+0.36
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.00	2.06	+0.94
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. SVOL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GOAU Sharpe Ratio is 0.84, which is higher than the SVOL Sharpe Ratio of 0.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GOAU and SVOL, 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	SVOL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.84	0.54	+0.29
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43	0.32	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.36	+0.09

Drawdowns

GOAU vs. SVOL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GOAU drawdown since its inception was -55.41%, which is greater than SVOL's maximum drawdown of -33.50%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GOAU and SVOL.

Drawdown Indicators

	GOAU	SVOL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.41%	-33.50%	-21.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-31.15%	-13.01%	-18.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-31.15%	-33.50%	+2.35%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-48.52%	-33.50%	-15.02%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-25.58%	-1.95%	-23.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.82%	-4.77%	-14.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.71%	5.49%	+7.22%

Volatility

GOAU vs. SVOL - Volatility Comparison

US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF (GOAU) has a higher volatility of 14.53% compared to Simplify Volatility Premium ETF (SVOL) at 1.69%. This indicates that GOAU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SVOL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GOAU	SVOL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.53%	1.69%	+12.84%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	37.31%	9.60%	+27.71%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	45.71%	20.85%	+24.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.44%	21.99%	+14.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	35.51%	21.92%	+13.59%

GOAU vs. SVOL - Expense Ratio Comparison

GOAU has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than SVOL's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

GOAU vs. SVOL - Dividend Comparison

GOAU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.96%, less than SVOL's 21.87% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
SVOL Simplify Volatility Premium ETF	21.87%	19.82%	16.79%	16.36%	18.32%	4.65%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GOAU and SVOL in my portfolio?

GOAU and SVOL have a correlation of 0.18, 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 SVOL?

GOAU has higher volatility (14.53%) compared to SVOL (1.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GOAU dropped -55.41% vs SVOL's -33.50%.

Which ETF is better, GOAU or SVOL?

On 5-year performance, GOAU leads with 15.62% vs 6.92% for SVOL. On fees, SVOL is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, SVOL has been the lower-risk option at 1.69%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GOAU or SVOL?

Over the 5-year period, GOAU has performed better with a 15.62% return vs 6.92%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GOAU or SVOL?

SVOL is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for GOAU.

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

SVOL has the higher dividend yield at 21.87%, compared with 0.96% for GOAU.

What is the main difference between GOAU and SVOL?

GOAU is categorized as Materials, while SVOL is Volatility. They also come from different issuers: US Global and Simplify. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for GOAU and 0.50% for SVOL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GOAU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.84 vs 0.54), 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.