VOO vs. AAAU

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) and AAAU (Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VOO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while AAAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold PM Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VOO returned 13.49%/yr vs 17.79%/yr for AAAU. At a 0.08 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VOO charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for AAAU.

Performance

VOO vs. AAAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) and Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF (AAAU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VOO achieves a 8.72% return, which is significantly higher than AAAU's 0.26% return.

VOO

• 1D: 0.25%
• 1M: 0.24%
• YTD: 8.72%
• 6M: 8.77%
• 1Y: 24.91%
• 3Y*: 21.45%
• 5Y*: 13.49%
• 10Y*: 15.35%

AAAU

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: -8.45%
• YTD: 0.26%
• 6M: 3.13%
• 1Y: 30.40%
• 3Y*: 29.97%
• 5Y*: 17.79%
• 10Y*: —

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

VOO vs. AAAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	8.72%	17.82%	24.98%	26.32%	-18.17%	28.79%	18.32%	31.37%	-10.35%
AAAU Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF	0.26%	64.06%	26.91%	12.96%	-0.50%	-4.01%	25.02%	18.17%	9.20%

Correlation

The correlation between VOO and AAAU is 0.22, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.22
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.16
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.12
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 16, 2018	0.08

The correlation between VOO and AAAU shifts across timeframes, from 0.08 (all time) to 0.22 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VOO vs. AAAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VOO	AAAU
Technology	35.7%	-
Financial Services	11.6%	-
Communication Services	11.3%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	-
Healthcare	8.5%	-
Industrials	8.3%	-
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	-
Energy	3.5%	-
Utilities	2.4%	-
Real Estate	1.9%	100.0%
Basic Materials	1.8%	-

Return for Risk

VOO vs. AAAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

VOO

VOO Risk / Return Rank: 69
VOO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
VOO Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VOO Omega Ratio Rank: 71
VOO Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VOO Martin Ratio Rank: 75

AAAU

AAAU Risk / Return Rank: 34
AAAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
AAAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
AAAU Omega Ratio Rank: 38
AAAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
AAAU Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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.

VOO vs. AAAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) 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.

	VOO	AAAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.08	1.15	+0.93
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.80	1.53	+1.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.23	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.81	1.53	+1.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.97	3.83	+9.14
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VOO vs. AAAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VOO Sharpe Ratio is 2.08, which is higher than the AAAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VOO and AAAU, 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

	VOO	AAAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.08	1.15	+0.93
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80	1.00	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.88	1.06	-0.18

Drawdowns

VOO vs. AAAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VOO drawdown since its inception was -33.99%, which is greater than AAAU's maximum drawdown of -21.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VOO and AAAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	VOO	AAAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.99%	-21.63%	-12.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.90%	-20.00%	+11.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.69%	-20.00%	+1.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.52%	-20.94%	-3.58%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.99%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.66%	-19.83%	+17.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.69%	-6.20%	+2.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.92%	7.96%	-6.04%

Volatility

VOO vs. AAAU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is 3.73%, while Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF (AAAU) has a volatility of 5.65%. This indicates that VOO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AAAU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VOO	AAAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.73%	5.65%	-1.92%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.31%	23.25%	-13.94%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.08%	26.60%	-14.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.85%	17.91%	-1.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.03%	17.03%	+1.00%

VOO vs. AAAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

VOO has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than AAAU's 0.18% 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

VOO vs. AAAU - Dividend Comparison

VOO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.05%, while AAAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AAAU Goldman Sachs Physical Gold 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%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	1.05%	1.13%	1.24%	1.46%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.88%	2.06%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VOO and AAAU in my portfolio?

VOO and AAAU have a correlation of 0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VOO or AAAU?

AAAU has higher volatility (5.65%) compared to VOO (3.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VOO dropped -33.99% vs AAAU's -21.63%.

Which ETF is better, VOO or AAAU?

On 5-year performance, AAAU leads with 17.79% vs 13.49% for VOO. On fees, VOO is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VOO has been the lower-risk option at 3.73%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VOO or AAAU?

Over the 5-year period, AAAU has performed better with a 17.79% return vs 13.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VOO or AAAU?

VOO is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.18% for AAAU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VOO or AAAU?

VOO has the higher dividend yield at 1.05%, compared with 0.00% for AAAU.

What is the main difference between VOO and AAAU?

VOO is categorized as S&P 500, while AAAU is Gold. VOO tracks S&P 500 Index, while AAAU tracks LBMA Gold PM Price. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Goldman Sachs. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VOO and 0.18% for AAAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VOO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.08 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.