USERX vs. FGADX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

USERX (U.S. Global Investors Gold & Precious Metals Fund) and FGADX (Franklin Gold and Precious Metals Fund Advisor Class) are both Precious Metals funds. Over the past 10 years, USERX returned 15.38%/yr vs 16.24%/yr for FGADX. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. USERX charges 1.52%/yr vs 0.62%/yr for FGADX.

Performance

USERX vs. FGADX - 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 Franklin Gold and Precious Metals Fund Advisor Class (FGADX). 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 lower than FGADX's 6.92% return. Over the past 10 years, USERX has underperformed FGADX with an annualized return of 15.38%, while FGADX has yielded a comparatively higher 16.24% 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%

FGADX

• 1D: 1.16%
• 1M: 2.22%
• YTD: 6.92%
• 6M: 19.14%
• 1Y: 85.86%
• 3Y*: 54.16%
• 5Y*: 22.03%
• 10Y*: 16.24%

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

USERX vs. FGADX - 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%
FGADX Franklin Gold and Precious Metals Fund Advisor Class	6.92%	197.29%	17.98%	2.20%	-23.24%	-3.76%	44.60%	51.87%	-17.89%	0.06%

Correlation

The correlation between USERX and FGADX is 0.97 - 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	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 1997	0.91

The correlation between USERX and FGADX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

USERX vs. FGADX — 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

FGADX

FGADX Risk / Return Rank: 43
FGADX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
FGADX Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
FGADX Omega Ratio Rank: 41
FGADX Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
FGADX Martin Ratio Rank: 36

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. FGADX - 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 Franklin Gold and Precious Metals Fund Advisor Class (FGADX). 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	FGADX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.77	2.10	-0.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.10	2.41	-0.31
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.34	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.42	2.83	-0.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.24	7.96	-1.72
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. FGADX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current USERX Sharpe Ratio is 1.77, which is comparable to the FGADX Sharpe Ratio of 2.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of USERX and FGADX, 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	FGADX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.77	2.10	-0.33
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56	0.66	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45	0.50	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.01	0.27	-0.26

Drawdowns

USERX vs. FGADX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum USERX drawdown since its inception was -97.74%, which is greater than FGADX's maximum drawdown of -78.57%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USERX and FGADX.

Drawdown Indicators

	USERX	FGADX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-97.74%	-78.57%	-19.17%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-32.20%	-31.15%	-1.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.20%	-31.15%	-1.05%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.45%	-48.77%	+5.32%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.45%	-49.27%	+5.82%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-42.81%	-20.57%	-22.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-75.03%	-34.71%	-40.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.46%	11.06%	+1.40%

Volatility

USERX vs. FGADX - Volatility Comparison

U.S. Global Investors Gold & Precious Metals Fund (USERX) has a higher volatility of 14.30% compared to Franklin Gold and Precious Metals Fund Advisor Class (FGADX) at 13.61%. This indicates that USERX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FGADX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	USERX	FGADX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.30%	13.61%	+0.69%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	36.60%	35.14%	+1.46%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	44.33%	42.21%	+2.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	33.19%	33.69%	-0.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	33.96%	32.77%	+1.19%

USERX vs. FGADX - Expense Ratio Comparison

USERX has a 1.52% expense ratio, which is higher than FGADX's 0.62% expense ratio.

Dividends

USERX vs. FGADX - Dividend Comparison

USERX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.55%, less than FGADX's 9.18% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FGADX Franklin Gold and Precious Metals Fund Advisor Class	9.18%	9.81%	12.51%	3.09%	0.00%	8.83%	10.06%	0.00%	0.00%	0.62%	8.38%	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 FGADX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, USERX and FGADX 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 FGADX?

USERX has higher volatility (14.30%) compared to FGADX (13.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USERX dropped -97.74% vs FGADX's -78.57%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FGADX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.10 vs 1.77), 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.