MGC vs. CGAU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MGC (Vanguard Mega Cap ETF) is Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Mega Cap Index, while CGAU (Centerra Gold Inc) is a stock. Over the past 5 years, MGC returned 14.70%/yr vs 18.36%/yr for CGAU. At a 0.24 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

MGC vs. CGAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Mega Cap ETF (MGC) and Centerra Gold Inc (CGAU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MGC achieves a 10.80% return, which is significantly lower than CGAU's 17.24% return.

MGC

• 1D: -0.79%
• 1M: 5.59%
• YTD: 10.80%
• 6M: 10.75%
• 1Y: 29.68%
• 3Y*: 23.87%
• 5Y*: 14.70%
• 10Y*: 16.36%

CGAU

• 1D: -3.90%
• 1M: 0.67%
• YTD: 17.24%
• 6M: 28.41%
• 1Y: 125.32%
• 3Y*: 43.72%
• 5Y*: 18.36%
• 10Y*: —

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

MGC vs. CGAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
MGC Vanguard Mega Cap ETF	10.80%	19.31%	27.16%	29.77%	-19.95%	14.81%
CGAU Centerra Gold Inc	17.24%	159.49%	-1.45%	19.37%	-32.55%	-18.30%

Correlation

The correlation between MGC and CGAU is 0.32, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.32
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.24
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 16, 2021	0.24

Return for Risk

MGC vs. CGAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

MGC

MGC Risk / Return Rank: 69
MGC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
MGC Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
MGC Omega Ratio Rank: 71
MGC Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
MGC Martin Ratio Rank: 71

CGAU

CGAU Risk / Return Rank: 89
CGAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
CGAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
CGAU Omega Ratio Rank: 86
CGAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
CGAU Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

MGC vs. CGAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Mega Cap ETF (MGC) and Centerra Gold Inc (CGAU). 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.

	MGC	CGAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.42	2.50	-0.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.30	2.68	+0.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.37	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.03	5.12	-2.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.61	13.80	-0.19
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MGC vs. CGAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MGC Sharpe Ratio is 2.42, which is comparable to the CGAU Sharpe Ratio of 2.50. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MGC and CGAU, 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

	MGC	CGAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.42	2.50	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86	0.40	+0.46
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.60	0.29	+0.31

Drawdowns

MGC vs. CGAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MGC drawdown since its inception was -51.93%, smaller than the maximum CGAU drawdown of -63.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MGC and CGAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	MGC	CGAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.93%	-63.47%	+11.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.85%	-24.61%	+14.76%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.28%	-30.24%	+10.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.74%	-63.47%	+37.73%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.07%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.79%	-19.89%	+19.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.06%	-29.64%	+22.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.19%	9.12%	-6.93%

Volatility

MGC vs. CGAU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Mega Cap ETF (MGC) is 3.04%, while Centerra Gold Inc (CGAU) has a volatility of 15.76%. This indicates that MGC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CGAU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MGC	CGAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.04%	15.76%	-12.72%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.27%	40.44%	-31.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.32%	50.38%	-38.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.27%	46.64%	-29.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.21%	48.59%	-30.38%

Dividends

MGC vs. CGAU - Dividend Comparison

MGC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.87%, less than CGAU's 1.21% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CGAU Centerra Gold Inc	1.21%	1.39%	3.59%	3.45%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
MGC Vanguard Mega Cap ETF	0.87%	0.93%	1.15%	1.35%	1.65%	1.17%	1.45%	1.81%	2.10%	1.83%	2.14%	2.11%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MGC and CGAU in my portfolio?

MGC and CGAU have a correlation of 0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MGC or CGAU?

CGAU has higher volatility (15.76%) compared to MGC (3.04%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MGC dropped -51.93% vs CGAU's -63.47%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CGAU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.50 vs 2.42), 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.