MO vs. SGOL

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

MO (Altria Group, Inc.) is a stock, while SGOL (abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF) is Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM ($/ozt). Over the past 10 years, MO returned 7.93%/yr vs 12.34%/yr for SGOL. At a 0.03 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

MO vs. SGOL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Altria Group, Inc. (MO) and abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF (SGOL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MO achieves a 26.86% return, which is significantly higher than SGOL's -2.39% return. Over the past 10 years, MO has underperformed SGOL with an annualized return of 7.93%, while SGOL has yielded a comparatively higher 12.34% annualized return.

MO

• 1D: 0.74%
• 1M: -1.57%
• YTD: 26.86%
• 6M: 26.78%
• 1Y: 28.74%
• 3Y*: 25.73%
• 5Y*: 16.36%
• 10Y*: 7.93%

SGOL

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: -7.35%
• YTD: -2.39%
• 6M: -2.15%
• 1Y: 22.44%
• 3Y*: 29.18%
• 5Y*: 17.34%
• 10Y*: 12.34%

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

MO vs. SGOL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MO Altria Group, Inc.	26.86%	18.17%	40.76%	-3.70%	4.37%	24.18%	-10.21%	7.87%	-27.14%	9.45%
SGOL abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF	-2.39%	63.99%	26.90%	12.99%	-0.51%	-3.94%	25.03%	18.21%	-1.94%	12.86%

Correlation

The correlation between MO and SGOL is -0.13, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.13
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.01
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.03
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.02
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 9, 2009	0.03

The correlation between MO and SGOL shifts across timeframes, from -0.13 (1 year) to 0.03 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

MO vs. SGOL — Risk / Return Rank

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

MO

MO Risk / Return Rank: 75
MO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
MO Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
MO Omega Ratio Rank: 75
MO Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
MO Martin Ratio Rank: 75

SGOL

SGOL Risk / Return Rank: 26
SGOL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
SGOL Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
SGOL Omega Ratio Rank: 31
SGOL Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
SGOL Martin Ratio Rank: 24

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.

MO vs. SGOL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Altria Group, Inc. (MO) 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.

	MO	SGOL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.27	0.89	+0.37
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.77	1.26	+0.51
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.19	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.75	0.99	+0.75
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.39	2.85	+1.54

MO vs. SGOL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MO Sharpe Ratio is 1.27, which is higher than the SGOL Sharpe Ratio of 0.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MO and SGOL, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

MO vs. SGOL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MO drawdown since its inception was -65.43%, which is greater than SGOL's maximum drawdown of -45.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MO and SGOL.

Drawdown Indicators

	MO	SGOL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.43%	-45.51%	-19.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.40%	-24.37%	+7.97%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.40%	-24.37%	+7.97%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.83%	-24.37%	-1.46%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-53.69%	-24.37%	-29.32%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.50%	-22.00%	+18.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.92%	-18.41%	+6.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.50%	8.46%	-1.96%

Volatility

MO vs. SGOL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Altria Group, Inc. (MO) is 6.71%, while abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF (SGOL) has a volatility of 7.69%. This indicates that MO 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.

Volatility by Period

	MO	SGOL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.71%	7.69%	-0.98%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.60%	23.85%	-6.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.59%	27.08%	-4.49%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.68%	18.10%	+2.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.97%	16.04%	+6.93%

Dividends

MO vs. SGOL - Dividend Comparison

MO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.84%, while SGOL has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MO Altria Group, Inc.	5.84%	7.21%	7.65%	9.52%	8.05%	7.43%	8.29%	6.57%	6.07%	3.56%	3.48%	3.73%
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

Can I hold both MO and SGOL in my portfolio?

MO and SGOL 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, MO or SGOL?

SGOL has higher volatility (7.69%) compared to MO (6.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MO dropped -65.43% vs SGOL's -45.51%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.27 vs 0.89), 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.