GOAU vs IVV
US Global GO Gold and Precious Metal Miners ETF vs iShares Core S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, GOAU or IVV?
Precious Metals against Large Cap Blend.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. GOAU led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. IVV is less concentrated, with 37.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 55.2%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | GOAU | IVV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $212M | $876.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.82% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 35 | 508 |
| YTD Return | +7.38% | +11.03%Best |
| 1Y Return | +26.42%Best | +15.62% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +43.58%Best | +20.81% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +23.09%Best | +12.61% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 36.9% | 16.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -52.9% | -33.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $28,256Best | $18,109 |
| Top 10 Weight | 55.2% | 37.8%Best |
| Fund Family | U.S. Global Investors, Inc. | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Precious Metals | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 27, 2017 | May 15, 2000 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 28, 2017 to Sep 16, 2026 (9.2 years).
GOAU vs IVV growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 9.2 years both funds cover.
GOAU vs IVV Performance
US Global GO Gold and Precious Metal Miners ETF (GOAU) is an ETF from U.S. Global Investors, Inc. and iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year GOAU returned +26.42% while IVV returned +15.62%. Year to date, GOAU is up 7.38% versus a gain of 11.03% for IVV.
Over three years, GOAU compounded at +43.58% per year against +20.81% for IVV; over five years the annualized figures are +23.09% and +12.61% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, GOAU has the edge at +17.22% annualized vs +13.97%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GOAU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 36.9% compared with 16.0% for IVV. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -52.9% for GOAU and -33.9% for IVV. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.36. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GOAU charges 0.60% per year while IVV charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $3 annually, a gap of $57 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GOAU currently yields 0.82% against 1.06% for IVV.
Holdings Overlap
2.9% of GOAU's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 0.2% of IVV's money is in holdings GOAU also owns.
GOAU and IVV share little of their money.
1 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in GOAU and 490 in IVV, against full books of 35 and 508.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 481 positions for IVV that do not appear in our book for GOAU (98.4% of the fund), and 1 for GOAU that do not appear in IVV (1.7%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GOAU | Weight in IVV | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEMNewmont Corp Common | 2.90% | 0.20% | 2.70% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GOAU and IVV you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, GOAU or IVV?
GOAU has an expense ratio of 0.60% while IVV charges 0.03%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $57 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GOAU or IVV?
Over the past year GOAU returned +26.42% vs +15.62% for IVV, so GOAU leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), GOAU annualized +17.22% vs +13.97% for IVV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GOAU or IVV?
GOAU has been the more volatile fund at 36.9% annualized versus 16.0% for IVV. Worst drawdown: GOAU -52.9% vs IVV -33.9%.
Should I hold both GOAU and IVV?
GOAU and IVV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.36, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between GOAU and IVV?
2.9% of GOAU's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 0.2% of IVV's is in holdings GOAU also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in GOAU and 490 in IVV.
Which pays a higher dividend, GOAU or IVV?
GOAU yields 0.82% while IVV yields 1.06%, so IVV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IVV better than GOAU?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. GOAU led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. IVV is less concentrated, with 37.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 55.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.