GROW vs. GAIN

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GROW (U.S. Global Investors, Inc.) and GAIN (Gladstone Investment Corporation) are both stocks. Both operate in the Asset Management industry within the Financial Services sector. Over the past 10 years, GROW returned 6.30%/yr vs 19.44%/yr for GAIN. At a 0.18 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

GROW vs. GAIN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in U.S. Global Investors, Inc. (GROW) and Gladstone Investment Corporation (GAIN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GROW achieves a 9.80% return, which is significantly lower than GAIN's 14.45% return. Over the past 10 years, GROW has underperformed GAIN with an annualized return of 6.30%, while GAIN has yielded a comparatively higher 19.44% annualized return.

GROW

• 1D: 0.77%
• 1M: -1.23%
• YTD: 9.80%
• 6M: 7.03%
• 1Y: 16.05%
• 3Y*: 2.12%
• 5Y*: -12.71%
• 10Y*: 6.30%

GAIN

• 1D: -2.81%
• 1M: -7.09%
• YTD: 14.45%
• 6M: 15.36%
• 1Y: 13.60%
• 3Y*: 20.65%
• 5Y*: 13.29%
• 10Y*: 19.44%

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

GROW vs. GAIN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GROW U.S. Global Investors, Inc.	9.80%	2.61%	-10.45%	0.68%	-32.67%	-18.41%	284.62%	33.73%	-71.36%	191.93%
GAIN Gladstone Investment Corporation	14.45%	17.11%	5.33%	31.01%	-17.55%	82.14%	-16.56%	53.31%	-9.67%	44.63%

Correlation

The correlation between GROW and GAIN is 0.13, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.13
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.15
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.15
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 24, 2005	0.18

The correlation between GROW and GAIN shifts across timeframes, from 0.13 (1 year) to 0.25 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Fundamentals

EPS GROW : $0.25 GAIN : $3.40
PE Ratio GROW : 10.47 GAIN : 4.58
PEG Ratio GROW : 0.01 GAIN : 0.10
PS Ratio GROW : 3.49 GAIN : 5.30
Total Revenue (TTM) GROW : $9.48M GAIN : $112.66M
Gross Profit (TTM) GROW : $4.55M GAIN : $80.66M
EBITDA (TTM) GROW : $2.17M GAIN : $57.95M

Return for Risk

GROW vs. GAIN — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

GROW

GROW Risk / Return Rank: 52
GROW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
GROW Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
GROW Omega Ratio Rank: 50
GROW Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
GROW Martin Ratio Rank: 53

GAIN

GAIN Risk / Return Rank: 64
GAIN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
GAIN Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
GAIN Omega Ratio Rank: 56
GAIN Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
GAIN Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

GROW vs. GAIN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for U.S. Global Investors, Inc. (GROW) and Gladstone Investment Corporation (GAIN). 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.

	GROW	GAIN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.39	0.72	-0.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.86	1.12	-0.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.15	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.50	1.68	-1.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.14	5.20	-4.06
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GROW vs. GAIN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GROW Sharpe Ratio is 0.39, which is lower than the GAIN Sharpe Ratio of 0.72. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GROW and GAIN, 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

	GROW	GAIN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.39	0.72	-0.33
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.35	0.60	-0.95
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.09	0.76	-0.67
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.04	0.25	-0.20

Drawdowns

GROW vs. GAIN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GROW drawdown since its inception was -96.74%, which is greater than GAIN's maximum drawdown of -80.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GROW and GAIN.

Drawdown Indicators

	GROW	GAIN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-96.74%	-80.87%	-15.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-32.17%	-8.12%	-24.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.62%	-14.76%	-17.86%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-66.52%	-26.26%	-40.26%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-87.01%	-56.28%	-30.73%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-88.23%	-8.02%	-80.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-67.01%	-15.92%	-51.09%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	14.11%	2.90%	+11.21%

Volatility

GROW vs. GAIN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for U.S. Global Investors, Inc. (GROW) is 9.11%, while Gladstone Investment Corporation (GAIN) has a volatility of 11.06%. This indicates that GROW experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GAIN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GROW	GAIN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.11%	11.06%	-1.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	35.07%	16.08%	+18.99%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	41.31%	18.90%	+22.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.03%	22.32%	+13.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	66.58%	25.67%	+40.91%

Dividends

GROW vs. GAIN - Dividend Comparison

GROW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.45%, less than GAIN's 9.64% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GAIN Gladstone Investment Corporation	9.64%	10.74%	12.53%	17.24%	9.88%	6.06%	9.22%	7.06%	9.24%	7.94%	8.87%	9.68%
GROW U.S. Global Investors, Inc.	3.45%	3.73%	3.69%	3.19%	3.37%	1.55%	0.55%	2.08%	2.73%	0.77%	2.21%	4.49%

Financials

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GROW and GAIN in my portfolio?

GROW and GAIN have a correlation of 0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GROW or GAIN?

GAIN has higher volatility (11.06%) compared to GROW (9.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GROW dropped -96.74% vs GAIN's -80.87%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GAIN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.72 vs 0.39), 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.