GOAU vs. XLB
GOAU (US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF) and XLB (Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both Materials funds - GOAU tracks the U.S. Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners Index while XLB tracks the Materials Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, GOAU returned 15.62%/yr vs 5.35%/yr for XLB. At a 0.34 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GOAU charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for XLB.
Performance
GOAU vs. XLB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GOAU achieves a -1.69% return, which is significantly lower than XLB's 14.33% return.
GOAU
- 1D
- 1.83%
- 1M
- 2.05%
- YTD
- -1.69%
- 6M
- 2.10%
- 1Y
- 38.05%
- 3Y*
- 33.93%
- 5Y*
- 15.62%
- 10Y*
- —
XLB
- 1D
- -0.02%
- 1M
- 0.17%
- YTD
- 14.33%
- 6M
- 17.82%
- 1Y
- 19.52%
- 3Y*
- 11.73%
- 5Y*
- 5.35%
- 10Y*
- 10.12%
GOAU vs. XLB - 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% |
XLB Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF | 14.33% | 9.94% | 0.15% | 12.46% | -12.30% | 27.44% | 20.46% | 24.13% | -14.88% | 12.89% |
Correlation
The correlation between GOAU and XLB is 0.49, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.49 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.44 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.45 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 29, 2017 | 0.34 |
The correlation between GOAU and XLB shifts across timeframes, from 0.34 (all time) to 0.49 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
GOAU vs. XLB — Risk / Return Rank
GOAU
XLB
GOAU vs. XLB - 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 Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB). 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 | XLB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.33 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.46 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.18 | 1.20 | -0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.23 | 1.58 | -0.36 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.00 | 4.93 | -1.93 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| GOAU | XLB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.84 | 1.17 | -0.33 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.43 | 0.28 | +0.15 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.49 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.45 | 0.36 | +0.09 |
Drawdowns
GOAU vs. XLB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GOAU drawdown since its inception was -55.41%, smaller than the maximum XLB drawdown of -59.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GOAU and XLB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GOAU | XLB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -55.41% | -59.83% | +4.42% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -31.15% | -12.38% | -18.77% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -31.15% | -23.17% | -7.98% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -48.52% | -24.72% | -23.80% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -37.27% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -25.58% | -3.30% | -22.28% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -18.82% | -10.84% | -7.98% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 12.71% | 3.97% | +8.74% |
Volatility
GOAU vs. XLB - Volatility Comparison
US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF (GOAU) has a higher volatility of 14.53% compared to Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB) at 5.47%. This indicates that GOAU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| GOAU | XLB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 14.53% | 5.47% | +9.06% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 37.31% | 12.81% | +24.50% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 45.71% | 16.75% | +28.96% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 36.44% | 18.94% | +17.50% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 35.51% | 20.64% | +14.87% |
GOAU vs. XLB - Expense Ratio Comparison
GOAU has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than XLB's 0.13% expense ratio.
Dividends
GOAU vs. XLB - Dividend Comparison
GOAU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.96%, less than XLB's 1.69% 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% |
XLB Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF | 1.69% | 1.92% | 1.92% | 2.00% | 2.26% | 1.62% | 1.72% | 1.98% | 2.20% | 1.66% | 1.95% | 2.24% |
Frequently Asked Questions
GOAU and XLB have a correlation of 0.49, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GOAU has higher volatility (14.53%) compared to XLB (5.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GOAU dropped -55.41% vs XLB's -59.83%.
On 5-year performance, GOAU leads with 15.62% vs 5.35% for XLB. On fees, XLB is cheaper at 0.13% per year. On volatility, XLB has been the lower-risk option at 5.47%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, GOAU has performed better with a 15.62% return vs 5.35%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
XLB is cheaper with a 0.13% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for GOAU.
XLB has the higher dividend yield at 1.69%, compared with 0.96% for GOAU.
GOAU tracks U.S. Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners Index, while XLB tracks Materials Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: US Global and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for GOAU and 0.13% for XLB.
XLB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.17 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.
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