USERX vs. BGEIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

USERX (U.S. Global Investors Gold & Precious Metals Fund) and BGEIX (American Century Global Gold Fund) are both Precious Metals funds. Over the past 10 years, USERX returned 15.38%/yr vs 13.90%/yr for BGEIX. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. USERX charges 1.52%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for BGEIX.

Performance

USERX vs. BGEIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in U.S. Global Investors Gold & Precious Metals Fund (USERX) and American Century Global Gold Fund (BGEIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, USERX achieves a 4.58% return, which is significantly higher than BGEIX's 2.13% return. Over the past 10 years, USERX has outperformed BGEIX with an annualized return of 15.38%, while BGEIX has yielded a comparatively lower 13.90% annualized return.

USERX

• 1D: 1.42%
• 1M: 4.23%
• YTD: 4.58%
• 6M: 12.99%
• 1Y: 75.95%
• 3Y*: 48.36%
• 5Y*: 18.56%
• 10Y*: 15.38%

BGEIX

• 1D: 1.25%
• 1M: 1.87%
• YTD: 2.13%
• 6M: 9.50%
• 1Y: 65.37%
• 3Y*: 44.25%
• 5Y*: 19.48%
• 10Y*: 13.90%

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

USERX vs. BGEIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
USERX U.S. Global Investors Gold & Precious Metals Fund	4.58%	167.44%	16.75%	1.44%	-17.44%	-10.80%	37.16%	51.34%	-14.24%	13.07%
BGEIX American Century Global Gold Fund	2.13%	158.45%	15.10%	7.52%	-12.54%	-8.85%	18.92%	37.82%	-7.43%	10.62%

Correlation

The correlation between USERX and BGEIX is 0.96 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.96
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 18, 1988	0.87

The correlation between USERX and BGEIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

USERX vs. BGEIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

USERX

USERX Risk / Return Rank: 32
USERX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
USERX Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
USERX Omega Ratio Rank: 32
USERX Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
USERX Martin Ratio Rank: 25

BGEIX

BGEIX Risk / Return Rank: 26
BGEIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
BGEIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
BGEIX Omega Ratio Rank: 27
BGEIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
BGEIX Martin Ratio Rank: 22

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.

USERX vs. BGEIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for U.S. Global Investors Gold & Precious Metals Fund (USERX) and American Century Global Gold Fund (BGEIX). 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.

	USERX	BGEIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.77	1.54	+0.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.10	1.93	+0.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.27	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.42	2.14	+0.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.24	5.64	+0.60
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

USERX vs. BGEIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current USERX Sharpe Ratio is 1.77, which is comparable to the BGEIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of USERX and BGEIX, 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

	USERX	BGEIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.77	1.54	+0.23
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56	0.58	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45	0.42	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.01	0.16	-0.15

Drawdowns

USERX vs. BGEIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum USERX drawdown since its inception was -97.74%, which is greater than BGEIX's maximum drawdown of -78.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USERX and BGEIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	USERX	BGEIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-97.74%	-78.69%	-19.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-32.20%	-30.55%	-1.65%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.20%	-30.55%	-1.65%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.45%	-46.62%	+3.17%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.45%	-51.92%	+8.47%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-42.81%	-23.73%	-19.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-75.03%	-35.16%	-39.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.46%	11.54%	+0.92%

Volatility

USERX vs. BGEIX - Volatility Comparison

U.S. Global Investors Gold & Precious Metals Fund (USERX) and American Century Global Gold Fund (BGEIX) have volatilities of 14.30% and 13.85%, 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

	USERX	BGEIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.30%	13.85%	+0.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	36.60%	34.97%	+1.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	44.33%	42.70%	+1.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	33.19%	33.61%	-0.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	33.96%	33.25%	+0.71%

USERX vs. BGEIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

USERX has a 1.52% expense ratio, which is higher than BGEIX's 0.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

USERX vs. BGEIX - Dividend Comparison

USERX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.55%, more than BGEIX's 0.83% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BGEIX American Century Global Gold Fund	0.83%	0.85%	1.36%	1.56%	1.38%	2.13%	0.56%	0.87%	0.00%	0.00%	10.56%	0.00%
USERX U.S. Global Investors Gold & Precious Metals Fund	5.55%	2.95%	1.48%	0.00%	0.00%	2.13%	2.68%	0.00%	1.76%	0.00%	0.88%	0.47%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both USERX and BGEIX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, USERX and BGEIX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, USERX or BGEIX?

USERX has higher volatility (14.30%) compared to BGEIX (13.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USERX dropped -97.74% vs BGEIX's -78.69%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

USERX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 1.54), 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.