UNWPX vs. GOAU

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

UNWPX (U.S. Global Investors World Precious Minerals Fund) and GOAU (US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF) are both funds - UNWPX is a Precious Metals fund managed by US Global, while GOAU is a Gold fund tracking the U.S. Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners Index. Over the past 5 years, UNWPX returned 4.34%/yr vs 16.06%/yr for GOAU. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. UNWPX charges 1.53%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for GOAU.

Performance

UNWPX vs. GOAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in U.S. Global Investors World Precious Minerals Fund (UNWPX) and US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF (GOAU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, UNWPX achieves a 7.34% return, which is significantly higher than GOAU's -9.63% return.

UNWPX

• 1D: -1.03%
• 1M: -9.86%
• YTD: 7.34%
• 6M: 5.41%
• 1Y: 82.24%
• 3Y*: 33.44%
• 5Y*: 4.34%
• 10Y*: 3.94%

GOAU

• 1D: -4.57%
• 1M: -6.67%
• YTD: -9.63%
• 6M: -13.51%
• 1Y: 30.40%
• 3Y*: 34.51%
• 5Y*: 16.06%
• 10Y*: —

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

UNWPX vs. GOAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
UNWPX U.S. Global Investors World Precious Minerals Fund	7.34%	136.32%	2.07%	-16.18%	-32.95%	-13.88%	70.83%	22.59%	-31.49%	-2.75%
GOAU US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF	-9.63%	126.68%	13.78%	10.67%	-11.66%	-9.23%	14.13%	54.17%	-11.88%	7.81%

Correlation

The correlation between UNWPX and GOAU is 0.85, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 28, 2017	0.77

The correlation between UNWPX and GOAU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

UNWPX vs. GOAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

UNWPX

UNWPX Risk / Return Rank: 46
UNWPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
UNWPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
UNWPX Omega Ratio Rank: 39
UNWPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
UNWPX Martin Ratio Rank: 48

GOAU

GOAU Risk / Return Rank: 20
GOAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
GOAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
GOAU Omega Ratio Rank: 22
GOAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
GOAU Martin Ratio Rank: 19

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.

UNWPX vs. GOAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for U.S. Global Investors World Precious Minerals Fund (UNWPX) and US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF (GOAU). 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.

	UNWPX	GOAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.87	0.64	+1.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.31	1.07	+1.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.15	+0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.85	0.85	+2.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.41	2.14	+7.26

UNWPX vs. GOAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current UNWPX Sharpe Ratio is 1.87, which is higher than the GOAU Sharpe Ratio of 0.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of UNWPX and GOAU, 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

UNWPX vs. GOAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UNWPX drawdown since its inception was -83.78%, which is greater than GOAU's maximum drawdown of -55.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UNWPX and GOAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	UNWPX	GOAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-83.78%	-55.41%	-28.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-29.02%	-35.89%	+6.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.17%	-35.89%	+6.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-60.80%	-48.52%	-12.28%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-69.19%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-39.51%	-31.59%	-7.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-49.47%	-18.87%	-30.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.77%	14.22%	-5.45%

Volatility

UNWPX vs. GOAU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for U.S. Global Investors World Precious Minerals Fund (UNWPX) is 14.31%, while US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF (GOAU) has a volatility of 16.80%. This indicates that UNWPX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GOAU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	UNWPX	GOAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.31%	16.80%	-2.49%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	37.62%	39.79%	-2.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	44.31%	47.71%	-3.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	31.80%	36.93%	-5.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	30.60%	35.74%	-5.14%

UNWPX vs. GOAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

UNWPX has a 1.53% expense ratio, which is higher than GOAU's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

UNWPX vs. GOAU - Dividend Comparison

UNWPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 83.64%, more than GOAU's 1.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GOAU US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF	1.04%	0.94%	2.11%	0.99%	1.55%	1.28%	0.74%	0.16%	0.47%	0.27%	0.00%	0.00%
UNWPX U.S. Global Investors World Precious Minerals Fund	83.64%	5.95%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	71.74%	6.76%	0.00%	17.45%	28.55%	0.33%	9.84%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both UNWPX and GOAU in my portfolio?

UNWPX and GOAU have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, UNWPX or GOAU?

GOAU has higher volatility (16.80%) compared to UNWPX (14.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UNWPX dropped -83.78% vs GOAU's -55.41%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

UNWPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.87 vs 0.64), 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.