WAR vs. GOAU

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

WAR (U.S. Global Technology and Aerospace & Defense ETF) and GOAU (US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - WAR is a Aerospace & Defense fund actively managed by US Global, while GOAU is a Gold fund tracking the U.S. Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners Index. WAR is actively managed, while GOAU is passively managed. At a 0.47 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.60% expense ratio.

Performance

WAR vs. GOAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in U.S. Global Technology and Aerospace & Defense ETF (WAR) and US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF (GOAU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

WAR

• 1D: -4.30%
• 1M: -7.86%
• 6M: —
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

GOAU

• 1D: -3.57%
• 1M: -6.89%
• 6M: -23.97%
• YTD: -15.51%
• 1Y: 21.84%
• 3Y*: 28.30%
• 5Y*: 14.50%
• 10Y*: —

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

WAR vs. GOAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
WAR U.S. Global Technology and Aerospace & Defense ETF	-9.77%
GOAU US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF	-12.74%

Correlation

The correlation between WAR and GOAU is 0.47, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 26, 2026	0.47

Return for Risk

WAR vs. GOAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

WAR

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

GOAU

GOAU Risk / Return Rank: 19
GOAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
GOAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
GOAU Omega Ratio Rank: 21
GOAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
GOAU Martin Ratio Rank: 17

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.

WAR vs. GOAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for U.S. Global Technology and Aerospace & Defense ETF (WAR) and US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF (GOAU). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	WAR	GOAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	0.46	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	0.88	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.12	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	0.61	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	1.36	—

Drawdowns

WAR vs. GOAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WAR drawdown since its inception was -15.43%, smaller than the maximum GOAU drawdown of -55.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WAR and GOAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	WAR	GOAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.43%	-55.41%	+39.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-36.04%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-36.04%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-48.52%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-15.43%	-36.04%	+20.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.29%	-18.95%	+11.66%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	16.12%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	WAR	GOAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	15.09%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	39.64%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	49.13%	48.12%	+1.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	49.13%	37.11%	+12.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	49.13%	35.79%	+13.34%

WAR vs. GOAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both WAR and GOAU have an expense ratio of 0.60%.

Dividends

WAR vs. GOAU - Dividend Comparison

WAR has not paid dividends to shareholders, while GOAU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.11%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GOAU US Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF	1.11%	0.94%	2.11%	0.99%	1.55%	1.28%	0.74%	0.16%	0.47%	0.27%
WAR U.S. Global Technology and Aerospace & Defense ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WAR and GOAU in my portfolio?

WAR and GOAU have a correlation of 0.47, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, WAR or GOAU?

Both ETFs have the same 0.60% expense ratio. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, WAR or GOAU?

WAR and GOAU have the same expense ratio: 0.60% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, WAR or GOAU?

GOAU has the higher dividend yield at 1.11%, compared with 0.00% for WAR.

What is the main difference between WAR and GOAU?

WAR is categorized as Aerospace & Defense, while GOAU is Gold.