GOAU vs. WAR

Last updated Jul 16, 2026

GOAU (US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF) and WAR (U.S. Global Technology and Aerospace & Defense ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GOAU is a Gold fund tracking the U.S. Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners Index, while WAR is a Aerospace & Defense fund actively managed by US Global. GOAU is passively managed, while WAR is actively managed. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.60% expense ratio.

Performance

GOAU vs. WAR - 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 Technology and Aerospace & Defense ETF (WAR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

GOAU

• 1D: -0.98%
• 1M: -12.34%
• 6M: -23.91%
• YTD: -14.40%
• 1Y: 25.88%
• 3Y*: 28.86%
• 5Y*: 15.35%
• 10Y*: —

WAR

• 1D: -1.41%
• 1M: -9.58%
• 6M: —
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

GOAU vs. WAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
GOAU US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF	-11.60%
WAR U.S. Global Technology and Aerospace & Defense ETF	-9.18%

Correlation

The correlation between GOAU and WAR is 0.48, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 26, 2026	0.48

Return for Risk

GOAU vs. WAR — 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: 20
GOAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
GOAU Omega Ratio Rank: 22
GOAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
GOAU Martin Ratio Rank: 18

WAR

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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. WAR - 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 Technology and Aerospace & Defense ETF (WAR). 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	WAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.54	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.97	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.72	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.58	—	—

Drawdowns

GOAU vs. WAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GOAU drawdown since its inception was -55.41%, which is greater than WAR's maximum drawdown of -15.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GOAU and WAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	GOAU	WAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.41%	-15.43%	-39.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-36.04%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-36.04%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-48.52%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-35.20%	-14.88%	-20.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.97%	-7.68%	-11.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	16.42%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	GOAU	WAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.22%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	39.50%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	48.08%	48.19%	-0.11%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	37.13%	48.19%	-11.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	35.79%	48.19%	-12.40%

GOAU vs. WAR - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both GOAU and WAR have an expense ratio of 0.60%.

Dividends

GOAU vs. WAR - Dividend Comparison

GOAU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.10%, while WAR has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GOAU US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF	1.10%	0.94%	2.11%	0.99%	1.55%	1.28%	0.74%	0.16%	0.47%	0.27%
WAR U.S. Global Technology and Aerospace & Defense ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GOAU and WAR in my portfolio?

GOAU and WAR have a correlation of 0.48, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, GOAU or WAR?

Both ETFs have the same 0.60% expense ratio. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, GOAU or WAR?

GOAU and WAR have the same expense ratio: 0.60% per year.

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

GOAU has the higher dividend yield at 1.10%, compared with 0.00% for WAR.

What is the main difference between GOAU and WAR?

GOAU is categorized as Gold, while WAR is Aerospace & Defense.