VIOV vs. SGOL
VIOV (Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF) and SGOL (abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VIOV is a Small Cap Value Equities fund tracking the S&P SmallCap 600 Value Index, while SGOL is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM ($/ozt). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VIOV returned 10.22%/yr vs 12.74%/yr for SGOL. At a 0.03 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VIOV charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.17%/yr for SGOL.
Performance
VIOV vs. SGOL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VIOV achieves a 15.63% return, which is significantly higher than SGOL's 0.32% return. Over the past 10 years, VIOV has underperformed SGOL with an annualized return of 10.22%, while SGOL has yielded a comparatively higher 12.74% annualized return.
VIOV
- 1D
- 0.77%
- 1M
- 0.98%
- YTD
- 15.63%
- 6M
- 16.09%
- 1Y
- 36.39%
- 3Y*
- 13.67%
- 5Y*
- 5.54%
- 10Y*
- 10.22%
SGOL
- 1D
- 0.22%
- 1M
- -8.40%
- YTD
- 0.32%
- 6M
- 3.15%
- 1Y
- 30.41%
- 3Y*
- 29.97%
- 5Y*
- 17.81%
- 10Y*
- 12.74%
VIOV vs. SGOL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VIOV Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF | 15.63% | 6.63% | 7.44% | 15.36% | -11.37% | 30.67% | 2.81% | 24.44% | -12.85% | 11.54% |
SGOL abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF | 0.32% | 63.99% | 26.90% | 12.99% | -0.51% | -3.94% | 25.03% | 18.21% | -1.94% | 12.86% |
Correlation
The correlation between VIOV and SGOL is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.17 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.15 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.12 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.03 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 10, 2010 | 0.03 |
The correlation between VIOV and SGOL shifts across timeframes, from 0.03 (10 years) to 0.17 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VIOV vs. SGOL — Risk / Return Rank
VIOV
SGOL
VIOV vs. SGOL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF (VIOV) and abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF (SGOL). 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.
| VIOV | SGOL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.83 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.31 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.34 | 1.23 | +0.11 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.92 | 1.53 | +2.39 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.76 | 3.82 | +8.93 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VIOV | SGOL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.99 | 1.15 | +0.83 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.25 | 1.00 | -0.74 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.43 | 0.80 | -0.37 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.53 | 0.54 | -0.01 |
Drawdowns
VIOV vs. SGOL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VIOV drawdown since its inception was -47.36%, roughly equal to the maximum SGOL drawdown of -45.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VIOV and SGOL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VIOV | SGOL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -47.36% | -45.51% | -1.85% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.33% | -20.02% | +10.69% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -28.44% | -20.02% | -8.42% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -28.44% | -20.92% | -7.52% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -47.36% | -21.56% | -25.80% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.99% | -19.84% | +18.85% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.37% | -18.41% | +11.04% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.86% | 7.98% | -5.12% |
Volatility
VIOV vs. SGOL - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF (VIOV) is 4.83%, while abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF (SGOL) has a volatility of 5.62%. This indicates that VIOV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SGOL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VIOV | SGOL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.83% | 5.62% | -0.79% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.71% | 23.24% | -11.53% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.45% | 26.58% | -8.13% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.96% | 17.96% | +4.00% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.90% | 15.95% | +7.95% |
VIOV vs. SGOL - Expense Ratio Comparison
VIOV has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than SGOL's 0.17% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VIOV vs. SGOL - Dividend Comparison
VIOV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.59%, while SGOL has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SGOL abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VIOV Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF | 1.59% | 1.69% | 1.78% | 2.18% | 1.81% | 1.59% | 1.42% | 1.60% | 1.76% | 1.43% | 1.17% | 1.32% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VIOV and SGOL have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SGOL has higher volatility (5.62%) compared to VIOV (4.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VIOV dropped -47.36% vs SGOL's -45.51%.
On 10-year performance, SGOL leads with 12.74% vs 10.22% for VIOV. On fees, VIOV is cheaper at 0.10% per year. On volatility, VIOV has been the lower-risk option at 4.83%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, SGOL has performed better with a 12.74% return vs 10.22%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VIOV is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.17% for SGOL.
VIOV has the higher dividend yield at 1.59%, compared with 0.00% for SGOL.
VIOV is categorized as Small Cap Value Equities, while SGOL is Gold. VIOV tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Value Index, while SGOL tracks LBMA Gold Price PM ($/ozt). They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and abrdn. Their fees differ too: 0.10% for VIOV and 0.17% for SGOL.
VIOV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.99 vs 1.15), 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.
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