GOAU vs VTI
US Global GO Gold and Precious Metal Miners ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, GOAU or VTI?
Precious Metals against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. GOAU led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% 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 | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $212M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.82% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 35 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +11.28% | +12.28%Best |
| 1Y Return | +32.47%Best | +16.78% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +45.25%Best | +20.89% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +24.13%Best | +11.94% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 36.9% | 16.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -52.9% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $29,470Best | $17,576 |
| Top 10 Weight | 55.2% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | U.S. Global Investors, Inc. | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Precious Metals | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 27, 2017 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 28, 2017 to Sep 17, 2026 (9.2 years).
GOAU vs VTI 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 VTI Performance
US Global GO Gold and Precious Metal Miners ETF (GOAU) is an ETF from U.S. Global Investors, Inc. and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GOAU returned +32.47% while VTI returned +16.78%. Year to date, GOAU is up 11.28% versus a gain of 12.28% for VTI.
Over three years, GOAU compounded at +45.25% per year against +20.89% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +24.13% and +11.94% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, GOAU has the edge at +17.67% annualized vs +13.57%.
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 16.4% for VTI. 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 -35.0% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.35. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GOAU charges 0.60% per year while VTI 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 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
2.9% of GOAU's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.1% of VTI's money is in holdings GOAU also owns.
GOAU and VTI share little of their money.
1 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in GOAU and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 35 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,149 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for GOAU (97.3% of the fund), and 1 for GOAU that do not appear in VTI (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 VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEMNewmont Corp Common | 2.90% | 0.14% | 2.76% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GOAU and VTI 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 VTI?
GOAU has an expense ratio of 0.60% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $57 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GOAU or VTI?
Over the past year GOAU returned +32.47% vs +16.78% for VTI, so GOAU leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), GOAU annualized +17.67% vs +13.57% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GOAU or VTI?
GOAU has been the more volatile fund at 36.9% annualized versus 16.4% for VTI. Worst drawdown: GOAU -52.9% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both GOAU and VTI?
GOAU and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.35, 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 VTI?
2.9% of GOAU's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.1% of VTI'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 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, GOAU or VTI?
GOAU yields 0.82% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than GOAU?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. GOAU led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% 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.