GOAU vs VXUS
US Global GO Gold and Precious Metal Miners ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, GOAU or VXUS?
Precious Metals against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. GOAU led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y.
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 | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $212M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.82% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 35 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +2.08% | +12.65%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.33% | +20.06%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +44.84%Best | +20.46% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +23.40%Best | +9.43% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 37.1% | 15.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -52.9% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $28,614Best | $15,692 |
| Fund Family | U.S. Global Investors, Inc. | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Precious Metals | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 27, 2017 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 28, 2017 to Sep 28, 2026 (9.3 years).
GOAU vs VXUS 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 9.3 years both funds cover.
GOAU vs VXUS Performance
US Global GO Gold and Precious Metal Miners ETF (GOAU) is an ETF from U.S. Global Investors, Inc. and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GOAU returned +9.33% while VXUS returned +20.06%. Year to date, GOAU is up 2.08% versus a gain of 12.65% for VXUS.
Over three years, GOAU compounded at +44.84% per year against +20.46% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +23.40% and +9.43% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, GOAU has the edge at +16.52% annualized vs +7.39%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GOAU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 37.1% compared with 15.4% for VXUS. 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 -39.9% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.50. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GOAU charges 0.60% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $5 annually, a gap of $55 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GOAU currently yields 0.82% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 64.4% of GOAU's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 88.8% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
19 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in GOAU and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 35 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GOAU | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| WPM:CAWheaton Precious Metals Corp | 9.79% | 0.11% | 9.68% |
| FNV:CAFranco-Nevada Corp | 9.49% | 0.09% | 9.40% |
| AYA:CAAya Gold & Silver Inc. | 4.62% | 0.01% | 4.61% |
| FVI:CAFortuna Mining Corp | 4.24% | 0.01% | 4.23% |
| GMD:AUGenesis Minerals Limited | 3.94% | 0.01% | 3.93% |
| EDV:LNEndeavour Mining Plc, January 2025, $28 .00 Cad | 3.57% | 0.02% | 3.55% |
| CMM:AUCapricorn Metals Ltd. | 3.30% | 0.01% | 3.29% |
| WGX:AUWestgold Resources Ltd | 3.15% | 0.01% | 3.14% |
| EVN:AUEvolution Mining Ltd Common Stock | 3.10% | 0.04% | 3.06% |
| IMG:CAIamgold Corp | 2.85% | 0.02% | 2.83% |
64.4% of GOAU is already inside VXUS.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, GOAU or VXUS?
GOAU has an expense ratio of 0.60% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $55 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GOAU or VXUS?
Over the past year GOAU returned +9.33% vs +20.06% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), GOAU annualized +16.52% vs +7.39% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GOAU or VXUS?
GOAU has been the more volatile fund at 37.1% annualized versus 15.4% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: GOAU -52.9% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both GOAU and VXUS?
GOAU and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.50, 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 VXUS?
At least 64.4% of GOAU's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 19 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in GOAU and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, GOAU or VXUS?
GOAU yields 0.82% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than GOAU?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. GOAU led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.