SGOL vs. AIPO

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

SGOL (abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF) and AIPO (Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SGOL is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM ($/ozt), while AIPO is a Building & Construction fund tracking the MarketVector™ US Listed AI and Power Infrastructure Index. Both are passively managed. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SGOL charges 0.17%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for AIPO.

Performance

SGOL vs. AIPO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF (SGOL) and Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF (AIPO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SGOL achieves a -2.39% return, which is significantly lower than AIPO's 42.18% return.

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%

AIPO

• 1D: 1.81%
• 1M: -2.51%
• YTD: 42.18%
• 6M: 37.77%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SGOL vs. AIPO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
SGOL abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF	-2.39%	27.82%
AIPO Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF	42.18%	9.46%

Correlation

The correlation between SGOL and AIPO is 0.31, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 25, 2025	0.31

Return for Risk

SGOL vs. AIPO — Risk / Return Rank

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

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

AIPO

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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.

SGOL vs. AIPO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF (SGOL) and Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF (AIPO). 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.

	SGOL	AIPO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.89	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.26	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.99	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.85	—	—

Drawdowns

SGOL vs. AIPO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SGOL drawdown since its inception was -45.51%, which is greater than AIPO's maximum drawdown of -17.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SGOL and AIPO.

Drawdown Indicators

	SGOL	AIPO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.51%	-17.31%	-28.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-24.37%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.37%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.37%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-24.37%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-22.00%	-7.53%	-14.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.41%	-4.48%	-13.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.46%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	SGOL	AIPO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.69%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.85%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.08%	35.17%	-8.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.10%	35.17%	-17.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.04%	35.17%	-19.13%

SGOL vs. AIPO - Expense Ratio Comparison

SGOL has a 0.17% expense ratio, which is lower than AIPO's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

SGOL vs. AIPO - Dividend Comparison

SGOL has not paid dividends to shareholders, while AIPO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.01%.

Position	TTM	2025
AIPO Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF	0.01%	0.01%
SGOL abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SGOL and AIPO in my portfolio?

SGOL and AIPO have a correlation of 0.31, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, SGOL or AIPO?

On fees, SGOL is cheaper at 0.17% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, SGOL or AIPO?

SGOL is cheaper with a 0.17% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for AIPO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SGOL or AIPO?

AIPO has the higher dividend yield at 0.01%, compared with 0.00% for SGOL.

What is the main difference between SGOL and AIPO?

SGOL is categorized as Gold, while AIPO is Building & Construction. SGOL tracks LBMA Gold Price PM ($/ozt), while AIPO tracks MarketVector™ US Listed AI and Power Infrastructure Index. They also come from different issuers: abrdn and Defiance. Their fees differ too: 0.17% for SGOL and 0.69% for AIPO.