OUNZ vs. ACLO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

OUNZ (VanEck Merk Gold Trust) and ACLO (TCW AAA CLO ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - OUNZ is a Precious Metals fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM ($/ozt), while ACLO is a CLO fund actively managed by TCW. OUNZ is passively managed, while ACLO is actively managed. Over the past year, OUNZ returned 32.21% vs 5.31% for ACLO. At a correlation of -0.15, they often move in opposite directions. OUNZ charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for ACLO.

Performance

OUNZ vs. ACLO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Merk Gold Trust (OUNZ) and TCW AAA CLO ETF (ACLO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, OUNZ achieves a 3.01% return, which is significantly higher than ACLO's 2.21% return.

OUNZ

• 1D: -0.97%
• 1M: -1.63%
• YTD: 3.01%
• 6M: 5.51%
• 1Y: 32.21%
• 3Y*: 31.27%
• 5Y*: 18.34%
• 10Y*: 13.22%

ACLO

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.42%
• YTD: 2.21%
• 6M: 2.58%
• 1Y: 5.31%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

OUNZ vs. ACLO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
OUNZ VanEck Merk Gold Trust	3.01%	63.95%	0.40%
ACLO TCW AAA CLO ETF	2.21%	5.32%	0.81%

Correlation

The correlation between OUNZ and ACLO is -0.11, 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	-0.11
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 19, 2024	-0.15

Return for Risk

OUNZ vs. ACLO — Risk / Return Rank

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

OUNZ

OUNZ Risk / Return Rank: 32
OUNZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
OUNZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
OUNZ Omega Ratio Rank: 36
OUNZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
OUNZ Martin Ratio Rank: 29

ACLO

ACLO Risk / Return Rank: 99
ACLO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
ACLO Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
ACLO Omega Ratio Rank: 99
ACLO Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
ACLO Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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.

OUNZ vs. ACLO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Merk Gold Trust (OUNZ) and TCW AAA CLO ETF (ACLO). 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.

	OUNZ	ACLO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.23	7.29	-6.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.62	14.85	-13.23
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	3.41	-2.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.69	19.90	-18.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.20	164.37	-160.18
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

OUNZ vs. ACLO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current OUNZ Sharpe Ratio is 1.23, which is lower than the ACLO Sharpe Ratio of 7.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of OUNZ and ACLO, 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

	OUNZ	ACLO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.23	7.29	-6.07
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.03	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.66	5.10	-4.44

Drawdowns

OUNZ vs. ACLO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum OUNZ drawdown since its inception was -21.77%, which is greater than ACLO's maximum drawdown of -1.01%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for OUNZ and ACLO.

Drawdown Indicators

	OUNZ	ACLO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.77%	-1.01%	-20.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.14%	-0.27%	-18.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.14%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.01%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-21.76%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-17.65%	0.00%	-17.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.57%	-0.05%	-7.52%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.69%	0.03%	+7.66%

Volatility

OUNZ vs. ACLO - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Merk Gold Trust (OUNZ) has a higher volatility of 5.52% compared to TCW AAA CLO ETF (ACLO) at 0.14%. This indicates that OUNZ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ACLO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	OUNZ	ACLO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.52%	0.14%	+5.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.98%	0.57%	+22.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.40%	0.73%	+25.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.91%	1.08%	+16.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.96%	1.08%	+14.88%

OUNZ vs. ACLO - Expense Ratio Comparison

OUNZ has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than ACLO's 0.20% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

OUNZ vs. ACLO - Dividend Comparison

OUNZ has not paid dividends to shareholders, while ACLO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.91%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
ACLO TCW AAA CLO ETF	4.91%	4.87%	0.59%
OUNZ VanEck Merk Gold Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both OUNZ and ACLO in my portfolio?

OUNZ and ACLO have a correlation of -0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, OUNZ or ACLO?

OUNZ has higher volatility (5.52%) compared to ACLO (0.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, OUNZ dropped -21.77% vs ACLO's -1.01%.

Which ETF is better, OUNZ or ACLO?

On 1-year performance, OUNZ leads with 32.21% vs 5.31% for ACLO. On fees, ACLO is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, ACLO has been the lower-risk option at 0.14%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, OUNZ or ACLO?

Over the 1-year period, OUNZ has performed better with a 32.21% return vs 5.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, OUNZ or ACLO?

ACLO is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for OUNZ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, OUNZ or ACLO?

ACLO has the higher dividend yield at 4.91%, compared with 0.00% for OUNZ.

What is the main difference between OUNZ and ACLO?

OUNZ is categorized as Precious Metals, while ACLO is CLO. They also come from different issuers: Merk and TCW. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for OUNZ and 0.20% for ACLO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ACLO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (7.29 vs 1.23), 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.