IXC vs. SGOL
IXC (iShares Global Energy ETF) and SGOL (abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IXC is a Energy Equities fund tracking the S&P Global 1200 Energy Capped Index, while SGOL is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM ($/ozt). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IXC returned 10.11%/yr vs 11.62%/yr for SGOL. Their 0.14 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. IXC charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.17%/yr for SGOL.
Performance
IXC vs. SGOL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IXC achieves a 34.16% return, which is significantly higher than SGOL's -6.06% return. Over the past 10 years, IXC has underperformed SGOL with an annualized return of 10.11%, while SGOL has yielded a comparatively higher 11.62% annualized return.
IXC
- 1D
- 0.13%
- 1M
- 11.29%
- 6M
- 23.33%
- YTD
- 34.16%
- 1Y
- 42.55%
- 3Y*
- 16.45%
- 5Y*
- 22.71%
- 10Y*
- 10.11%
- ALL TIME*
- 8.51%
SGOL
- 1D
- 0.08%
- 1M
- 0.65%
- 6M
- -18.71%
- YTD
- -6.06%
- 1Y
- 21.20%
- 3Y*
- 27.11%
- 5Y*
- 17.42%
- 10Y*
- 11.62%
- ALL TIME*
- 8.34%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $42.31M | $62.47M | $60.65M | |
| $79.87M | $79.24M | $102.39M |
IXC vs. SGOL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IXC iShares Global Energy ETF | 34.16% | 13.98% | 1.95% | 3.92% | 48.51% | 40.88% | -31.00% | 12.67% | -14.85% | 5.54% |
SGOL abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF | -6.06% | 63.99% | 26.90% | 12.99% | -0.51% | -3.94% | 25.03% | 18.21% | -1.94% | 12.86% |
Correlation
The correlation between IXC and SGOL is 0.04, meaning there was essentially no consistent relationship between their historical price movements. Each responded to its own set of market drivers.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.04 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.15 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.17 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.10 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 9, 2009 | 0.14 |
The correlation between IXC and SGOL shifts across timeframes, from 0.04 (1 year) to 0.17 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
IXC vs. SGOL — Risk / Return Rank
IXC
SGOL
IXC vs. SGOL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC) and abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF (SGOL). 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.
| IXC | SGOL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.45 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.72 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.36 | 1.15 | +0.21 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.75 | 0.77 | +1.98 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.52 | 1.73 | +6.79 |
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Drawdowns
IXC vs. SGOL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IXC drawdown since its inception was -67.88%, which is greater than SGOL's maximum drawdown of -45.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IXC and SGOL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IXC | SGOL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -67.88% | -45.51% | -22.37% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -15.36% | -26.32% | +10.96% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.06% | -26.32% | +7.26% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.93% | -26.32% | +1.39% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -64.16% | -26.32% | -37.84% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.45% | -24.94% | +21.49% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -17.43% | -18.45% | +1.02% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.94% | 11.64% | -6.70% |
Volatility
IXC vs. SGOL - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC) is 5.23%, while abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF (SGOL) has a volatility of 6.07%. This indicates that IXC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SGOL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| IXC | SGOL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.23% | 6.07% | -0.84% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.75% | 23.69% | -7.94% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 19.35% | 27.79% | -8.44% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 23.35% | 18.34% | +5.01% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 26.81% | 16.08% | +10.73% |
IXC vs. SGOL - Expense Ratio Comparison
IXC has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than SGOL's 0.17% expense ratio.
Dividends
IXC vs. SGOL - Dividend Comparison
IXC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.83%, while SGOL has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IXC iShares Global Energy ETF | 2.83% | 3.68% | 4.56% | 3.45% | 4.76% | 3.98% | 4.86% | 7.00% | 3.51% | 3.05% | 2.86% | 3.77% |
SGOL abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
IXC and SGOL have a correlation of 0.04, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SGOL has higher volatility (6.07%) compared to IXC (5.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IXC dropped -67.88% vs SGOL's -45.51%.
On 10-year performance, SGOL leads with 11.62% vs 10.11% for IXC. On fees, SGOL is cheaper at 0.17% per year. On volatility, IXC has been the lower-risk option at 5.23%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, SGOL has performed better with a 11.62% return vs 10.11%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SGOL is cheaper with a 0.17% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for IXC.
IXC has the higher dividend yield at 2.83%, compared with 0.00% for SGOL.
IXC is categorized as Energy Equities, while SGOL is Gold. IXC tracks S&P Global 1200 Energy Capped Index, while SGOL tracks LBMA Gold Price PM ($/ozt). They also come from different issuers: iShares and abrdn. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for IXC and 0.17% for SGOL.
IXC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.18 vs 0.73), 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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