RING vs. VGZ

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

RING (iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF) is Gold fund tracking the MSCI ACWI Select Gold Miners Investable Market Index, while VGZ (Vista Gold Corp.) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, RING returned 13.85%/yr vs 7.84%/yr for VGZ. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

RING vs. VGZ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF (RING) and Vista Gold Corp. (VGZ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RING achieves a -5.54% return, which is significantly lower than VGZ's 18.78% return. Over the past 10 years, RING has outperformed VGZ with an annualized return of 13.85%, while VGZ has yielded a comparatively lower 7.84% annualized return.

RING

• 1D: 3.20%
• 1M: -16.79%
• YTD: -5.54%
• 6M: -4.18%
• 1Y: 56.55%
• 3Y*: 44.87%
• 5Y*: 18.76%
• 10Y*: 13.85%

VGZ

• 1D: 6.36%
• 1M: 1.30%
• YTD: 18.78%
• 6M: -0.85%
• 1Y: 134.16%
• 3Y*: 63.73%
• 5Y*: 14.48%
• 10Y*: 7.84%

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

RING vs. VGZ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RING iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF	-5.54%	164.72%	15.98%	12.29%	-15.40%	-7.46%	24.98%	49.92%	-13.14%	10.24%
VGZ Vista Gold Corp.	18.78%	253.05%	23.48%	-8.73%	-30.22%	-34.31%	48.97%	38.10%	-25.00%	-26.77%

Correlation

The correlation between RING and VGZ is 0.64, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.64
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.57
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.53
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2012	0.52

The correlation between RING and VGZ shifts across timeframes, from 0.51 (10 years) to 0.64 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

RING vs. VGZ — Risk / Return Rank

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

RING

RING Risk / Return Rank: 36
RING Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
RING Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
RING Omega Ratio Rank: 39
RING Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
RING Martin Ratio Rank: 33

VGZ

VGZ Risk / Return Rank: 83
VGZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
VGZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
VGZ Omega Ratio Rank: 81
VGZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
VGZ Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

RING vs. VGZ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF (RING) and Vista Gold Corp. (VGZ). 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.

	RING	VGZ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.20	1.66	-0.46
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.62	2.33	-0.71
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.29	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.59	3.19	-1.60
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.45	6.86	-2.40

RING vs. VGZ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RING Sharpe Ratio is 1.20, which is comparable to the VGZ Sharpe Ratio of 1.66. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RING and VGZ, 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

RING vs. VGZ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RING drawdown since its inception was -79.47%, smaller than the maximum VGZ drawdown of -99.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RING and VGZ.

Drawdown Indicators

	RING	VGZ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-79.47%	-99.06%	+19.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-35.72%	-42.30%	+6.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-35.72%	-46.23%	+10.51%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-47.94%	-78.19%	+30.25%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-52.04%	-85.10%	+33.06%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-30.03%	-82.31%	+52.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-47.36%	-70.36%	+23.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.74%	19.65%	-6.91%

Volatility

RING vs. VGZ - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF (RING) and Vista Gold Corp. (VGZ) have volatilities of 16.83% and 16.84%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RING	VGZ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	16.83%	16.84%	-0.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	39.11%	64.35%	-25.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	47.31%	81.23%	-33.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.81%	65.80%	-28.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	36.70%	66.60%	-29.90%

Dividends

RING vs. VGZ - Dividend Comparison

RING's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.89%, while VGZ has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RING iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF	0.89%	0.84%	1.43%	2.01%	2.29%	2.38%	0.83%	0.83%	0.70%	0.42%	1.41%	0.96%
VGZ Vista Gold Corp.	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 RING and VGZ in my portfolio?

RING and VGZ have a correlation of 0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RING or VGZ?

VGZ has higher volatility (16.84%) compared to RING (16.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RING dropped -79.47% vs VGZ's -99.06%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.66 vs 1.20), 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.