VGZ vs. AAAU

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Vista Gold Corp. (VGZ) and Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF (AAAU).

AAAU is a passively managed fund by Goldman Sachs that tracks the performance of the LBMA Gold PM Price. It was launched on Jul 26, 2018.

Performance

VGZ vs. AAAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vista Gold Corp. (VGZ) and Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF (AAAU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

VGZ vs. AAAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
VGZ Vista Gold Corp.	-0.51%	253.05%	23.48%	-8.73%	-30.22%	-34.31%	48.97%	38.10%	-2.78%
AAAU Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF	8.55%	64.06%	26.91%	12.96%	-0.50%	-4.01%	25.02%	18.17%	9.20%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VGZ achieves a -0.51% return, which is significantly lower than AAAU's 8.55% return.

VGZ

• 1D: 11.36%
• 1M: -30.00%
• YTD: -0.51%
• 6M: -7.98%
• 1Y: 136.71%
• 3Y*: 48.21%
• 5Y*: 13.30%
• 10Y*: 15.60%

AAAU

• 1D: 3.76%
• 1M: -11.04%
• YTD: 8.55%
• 6M: 21.17%
• 1Y: 49.58%
• 3Y*: 33.19%
• 5Y*: 21.84%
• 10Y*: —

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

Return for Risk

VGZ vs. AAAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

VGZ

VGZ Risk / Return Rank: 85
VGZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
VGZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
VGZ Omega Ratio Rank: 80
VGZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
VGZ Martin Ratio Rank: 87

AAAU

AAAU Risk / Return Rank: 87
AAAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
AAAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
AAAU Omega Ratio Rank: 86
AAAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
AAAU Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

VGZ vs. AAAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vista Gold Corp. (VGZ) and Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF (AAAU). 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.

	VGZ	AAAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.58	1.81	-0.23
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.27	2.25	+0.02
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.33	-0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.70	2.70	+1.00
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.96	10.02	-1.06
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VGZ vs. AAAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VGZ Sharpe Ratio is 1.58, which is comparable to the AAAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VGZ and AAAU, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VGZ	AAAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.58	1.81	-0.23
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.20	1.25	-1.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.23	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.00	1.17	-1.16

Correlation

The correlation between VGZ and AAAU is 0.44, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

VGZ vs. AAAU - Dividend Comparison

Neither VGZ nor AAAU has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Drawdowns

VGZ vs. AAAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGZ drawdown since its inception was -99.06%, which is greater than AAAU's maximum drawdown of -21.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGZ and AAAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	VGZ	AAAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.06%	-21.63%	-77.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-42.30%	-19.13%	-23.17%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-78.19%	-20.94%	-57.25%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-85.10%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-85.19%	-13.19%	-72.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-70.29%	-6.00%	-64.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	17.49%	5.16%	+12.33%

Volatility

VGZ vs. AAAU - Volatility Comparison

Vista Gold Corp. (VGZ) has a higher volatility of 26.24% compared to Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF (AAAU) at 11.00%. This indicates that VGZ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AAAU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VGZ	AAAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	26.24%	11.00%	+15.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	66.98%	24.01%	+42.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	87.27%	27.49%	+59.78%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	65.50%	17.58%	+47.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	68.00%	16.92%	+51.08%