GSIG vs. AAAU

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

GSIG (Goldman Sachs Access Investment Grade Corporate 1-5 Year Bond ETF) and AAAU (Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GSIG is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the FTSE Goldman Sachs US Investment-Grade Corporate Bond 1-5 Years Index, while AAAU is a Precious Metals fund tracking the LBMA Gold PM Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, GSIG returned 2.21%/yr vs 18.89%/yr for AAAU. At a 0.35 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GSIG charges 0.14%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for AAAU.

Performance

GSIG vs. AAAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Goldman Sachs Access Investment Grade Corporate 1-5 Year Bond ETF (GSIG) and Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF (AAAU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GSIG achieves a 0.67% return, which is significantly lower than AAAU's 4.00% return.

GSIG

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.03%
• YTD: 0.67%
• 6M: 1.10%
• 1Y: 4.55%
• 3Y*: 5.39%
• 5Y*: 2.21%
• 10Y*: —

AAAU

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: -2.66%
• YTD: 4.00%
• 6M: 6.50%
• 1Y: 32.47%
• 3Y*: 31.82%
• 5Y*: 18.89%
• 10Y*: —

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

GSIG vs. AAAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
GSIG Goldman Sachs Access Investment Grade Corporate 1-5 Year Bond ETF	0.67%	6.69%	4.72%	6.06%	-5.80%	-0.81%	1.59%
AAAU Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF	4.00%	64.06%	26.91%	12.96%	-0.50%	-4.01%	5.28%

Correlation

The correlation between GSIG and AAAU is 0.25, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.25
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.29
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 10, 2020	0.35

The correlation between GSIG and AAAU shifts across timeframes, from 0.25 (1 year) to 0.36 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

GSIG vs. AAAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

GSIG

GSIG Risk / Return Rank: 74
GSIG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
GSIG Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
GSIG Omega Ratio Rank: 82
GSIG Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
GSIG Martin Ratio Rank: 67

AAAU

AAAU Risk / Return Rank: 34
AAAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
AAAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
AAAU Omega Ratio Rank: 37
AAAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
AAAU Martin Ratio Rank: 31

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.

GSIG vs. AAAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Goldman Sachs Access Investment Grade Corporate 1-5 Year Bond ETF (GSIG) and Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF (AAAU). 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.

	GSIG	AAAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.48	1.24	+1.24
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.83	1.64	+2.20
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.25	+0.26
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.08	1.88	+1.20
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.63	4.73	+7.90
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GSIG vs. AAAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GSIG Sharpe Ratio is 2.48, which is higher than the AAAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GSIG and AAAU, 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

	GSIG	AAAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.48	1.24	+1.24
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77	1.07	-0.30
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.79	1.10	-0.31

Drawdowns

GSIG vs. AAAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GSIG drawdown since its inception was -9.57%, smaller than the maximum AAAU drawdown of -21.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GSIG and AAAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	GSIG	AAAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.57%	-21.63%	+12.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.46%	-19.13%	+17.67%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.46%	-19.13%	+17.67%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-9.57%	-20.94%	+11.37%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.32%	-16.84%	+16.52%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.10%	-6.18%	+4.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.36%	7.61%	-7.25%

Volatility

GSIG vs. AAAU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Goldman Sachs Access Investment Grade Corporate 1-5 Year Bond ETF (GSIG) is 0.62%, while Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF (AAAU) has a volatility of 5.76%. This indicates that GSIG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AAAU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GSIG	AAAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.62%	5.76%	-5.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.36%	22.92%	-21.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.84%	26.43%	-24.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.89%	17.85%	-14.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.71%	16.99%	-14.28%

GSIG vs. AAAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

GSIG has a 0.14% expense ratio, which is lower than AAAU's 0.18% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

GSIG vs. AAAU - Dividend Comparison

GSIG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.34%, while AAAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
AAAU Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
GSIG Goldman Sachs Access Investment Grade Corporate 1-5 Year Bond ETF	4.34%	4.61%	4.59%	3.51%	2.21%	1.04%	0.45%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GSIG and AAAU in my portfolio?

GSIG and AAAU have a correlation of 0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GSIG or AAAU?

AAAU has higher volatility (5.76%) compared to GSIG (0.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GSIG dropped -9.57% vs AAAU's -21.63%.

Which ETF is better, GSIG or AAAU?

On 5-year performance, AAAU leads with 18.89% vs 2.21% for GSIG. On fees, GSIG is cheaper at 0.14% per year. On volatility, GSIG has been the lower-risk option at 0.62%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GSIG or AAAU?

Over the 5-year period, AAAU has performed better with a 18.89% return vs 2.21%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GSIG or AAAU?

GSIG is cheaper with a 0.14% expense ratio, compared with 0.18% for AAAU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GSIG or AAAU?

GSIG has the higher dividend yield at 4.34%, compared with 0.00% for AAAU.

What is the main difference between GSIG and AAAU?

GSIG is categorized as Corporate Bonds, while AAAU is Precious Metals. GSIG tracks FTSE Goldman Sachs US Investment-Grade Corporate Bond 1-5 Years Index, while AAAU tracks LBMA Gold PM Price. Their fees differ too: 0.14% for GSIG and 0.18% for AAAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GSIG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.48 vs 1.24), 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.