GOAU vs. XME
GOAU (US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF) and XME (SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GOAU is a Gold fund tracking the U.S. Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners Index, while XME is a Materials fund tracking the S&P Metals & Mining Select Industry Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, GOAU returned 16.06%/yr vs 21.39%/yr for XME. At a 0.47 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GOAU charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for XME.
Performance
GOAU vs. XME - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GOAU achieves a -9.63% return, which is significantly lower than XME's 7.18% return.
GOAU
- 1D
- -4.57%
- 1M
- -6.67%
- YTD
- -9.63%
- 6M
- -13.51%
- 1Y
- 30.40%
- 3Y*
- 34.51%
- 5Y*
- 16.06%
- 10Y*
- —
XME
- 1D
- -3.75%
- 1M
- -5.21%
- YTD
- 7.18%
- 6M
- 2.81%
- 1Y
- 68.16%
- 3Y*
- 32.34%
- 5Y*
- 21.39%
- 10Y*
- 18.52%
GOAU vs. XME - 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% |
XME SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF | 7.18% | 83.47% | -4.54% | 21.51% | 13.13% | 34.92% | 15.95% | 14.69% | -26.78% | 26.40% |
Correlation
The correlation between GOAU and XME is 0.64, 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 | 0.64 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.59 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.58 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 28, 2017 | 0.47 |
The correlation between GOAU and XME shifts across timeframes, from 0.47 (all time) to 0.64 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
GOAU vs. XME — Risk / Return Rank
GOAU
XME
GOAU vs. XME - 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 SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF (XME). 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 | XME | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.24 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.33 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.15 | 1.31 | -0.16 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.85 | 3.03 | -2.18 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.14 | 7.40 | -5.25 |
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Drawdowns
GOAU vs. XME - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GOAU drawdown since its inception was -55.41%, smaller than the maximum XME drawdown of -85.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GOAU and XME.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GOAU | XME | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -55.41% | -85.89% | +30.48% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -35.89% | -22.60% | -13.29% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -35.89% | -30.47% | -5.42% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -48.52% | -37.27% | -11.25% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -61.69% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -31.59% | -16.45% | -15.14% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -18.87% | -44.05% | +25.18% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 14.22% | 9.24% | +4.98% |
Volatility
GOAU vs. XME - Volatility Comparison
US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF (GOAU) has a higher volatility of 16.80% compared to SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF (XME) at 14.26%. This indicates that GOAU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XME based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| GOAU | XME | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 16.80% | 14.26% | +2.54% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 39.79% | 28.34% | +11.45% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 47.71% | 36.35% | +11.36% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 36.93% | 32.76% | +4.17% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 35.74% | 32.91% | +2.83% |
GOAU vs. XME - Expense Ratio Comparison
GOAU has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than XME's 0.35% expense ratio.
Dividends
GOAU vs. XME - Dividend Comparison
GOAU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.04%, more than XME's 0.34% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
XME SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF | 0.34% | 0.38% | 0.65% | 1.00% | 1.64% | 0.70% | 0.99% | 2.43% | 2.23% | 1.15% | 1.02% | 2.61% |
Frequently Asked Questions
GOAU and XME have a correlation of 0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GOAU has higher volatility (16.80%) compared to XME (14.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GOAU dropped -55.41% vs XME's -85.89%.
On 5-year performance, XME leads with 21.39% vs 16.06% for GOAU. On fees, XME is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, XME has been the lower-risk option at 14.26%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, XME has performed better with a 21.39% return vs 16.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
XME is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for GOAU.
GOAU has the higher dividend yield at 1.04%, compared with 0.34% for XME.
GOAU is categorized as Gold, while XME is Materials. GOAU tracks U.S. Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners Index, while XME tracks S&P Metals & Mining Select Industry Index. They also come from different issuers: US Global and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for GOAU and 0.35% for XME.
XME currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.89 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.
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