YGLD vs. AAAU

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

YGLD (Simplify Gold Strategy PLUS Income ETF) and AAAU (Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF) are both Gold funds. YGLD is actively managed, while AAAU is passively managed. Over the past year, YGLD returned 21.90% vs 32.55% for AAAU. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. YGLD charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for AAAU.

Performance

YGLD vs. AAAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Simplify Gold Strategy PLUS Income ETF (YGLD) 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, YGLD achieves a -6.29% return, which is significantly lower than AAAU's 3.83% return.

YGLD

• 1D: 1.02%
• 1M: -2.40%
• YTD: -6.29%
• 6M: -6.43%
• 1Y: 21.90%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

AAAU

• 1D: 0.87%
• 1M: -1.63%
• YTD: 3.83%
• 6M: 6.34%
• 1Y: 32.55%
• 3Y*: 31.47%
• 5Y*: 18.60%
• 10Y*: —

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

YGLD vs. AAAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
YGLD Simplify Gold Strategy PLUS Income ETF	-6.29%	96.82%	-4.17%
AAAU Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF	3.83%	64.06%	-0.71%

Correlation

The correlation between YGLD and AAAU is 0.93, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 4, 2024	0.92

The correlation between YGLD and AAAU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

YGLD vs. AAAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

YGLD

YGLD Risk / Return Rank: 18
YGLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
YGLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
YGLD Omega Ratio Rank: 21
YGLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
YGLD Martin Ratio Rank: 16

AAAU

AAAU Risk / Return Rank: 34
AAAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
AAAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
AAAU Omega Ratio Rank: 39
AAAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
AAAU Martin Ratio Rank: 30

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.

YGLD vs. AAAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Simplify Gold Strategy PLUS Income ETF (YGLD) 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.

	YGLD	AAAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.54	1.24	-0.70
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.93	1.64	-0.71
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.25	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.64	1.71	-1.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.46	4.21	-2.74
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

YGLD vs. AAAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current YGLD Sharpe Ratio is 0.54, which is lower than the AAAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of YGLD 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

	YGLD	AAAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.54	1.24	-0.70
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.05	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.20	1.09	+0.10

Drawdowns

YGLD vs. AAAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum YGLD drawdown since its inception was -34.23%, which is greater than AAAU's maximum drawdown of -21.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for YGLD and AAAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	YGLD	AAAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.23%	-21.63%	-12.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-34.23%	-19.13%	-15.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-19.13%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-20.94%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-32.38%	-16.97%	-15.41%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.97%	-6.19%	-1.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	15.00%	7.76%	+7.24%

Volatility

YGLD vs. AAAU - Volatility Comparison

Simplify Gold Strategy PLUS Income ETF (YGLD) has a higher volatility of 8.69% compared to Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF (AAAU) at 5.51%. This indicates that YGLD'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

	YGLD	AAAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.69%	5.51%	+3.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	34.68%	22.94%	+11.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	40.42%	26.33%	+14.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	39.06%	17.83%	+21.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	39.06%	16.99%	+22.07%

YGLD vs. AAAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

YGLD has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than AAAU's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

YGLD vs. AAAU - Dividend Comparison

YGLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 19.04%, while AAAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025
AAAU Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF	0.00%	0.00%
YGLD Simplify Gold Strategy PLUS Income ETF	19.04%	12.05%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both YGLD and AAAU in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, YGLD and AAAU 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, YGLD or AAAU?

YGLD has higher volatility (8.69%) compared to AAAU (5.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, YGLD dropped -34.23% vs AAAU's -21.63%.

Which ETF is better, YGLD or AAAU?

On 1-year performance, AAAU leads with 32.55% vs 21.90% for YGLD. On fees, AAAU is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, AAAU has been the lower-risk option at 5.51%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, YGLD or AAAU?

Over the 1-year period, AAAU has performed better with a 32.55% return vs 21.90%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, YGLD or AAAU?

AAAU is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for YGLD.

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

YGLD has the higher dividend yield at 19.04%, compared with 0.00% for AAAU.

What is the main difference between YGLD and AAAU?

They also come from different issuers: Simplify and Goldman Sachs. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for YGLD and 0.18% for AAAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AAAU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.24 vs 0.54), 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.